By Moses Andama
In Masindi municipality
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Masindi municipality town clerk Daniel Kasala has been expelled by councilors for allegedly emebzeling 100 million shillings meant for procuring double cabin vehicle for finance department.
During hot council seating yesterday at the municipal chambers presided over by deputy speaker Betty Kugonza who was delegated by her senior Opio Tadeo, it was noted that in the financial year 2024/ 25, council sat and passed budget of over 100 million of which 100 million was meant to procure vehicle, another money for construction of administration unit among others.
However since December when the money was allocated the vehicle has never been seen within municipality headquarters.
Speaking before the council, Peter Isingoma Ndabi councillor representing Kikwanana ward to municipality in his view says they no longer need town clerk Daniel Kasala and they will look for ways of locking his office .
Ndabi asked his deputy Patrick Assiimwe who represented him to communicate and deliver their message saying they need town clerk to return the first vehicle that was donated during COVID and also the New one council approved money for him to procure.
“We have all long been contacting concerned people at the centre over the issue of the vehicle, they have been giving us excuses till now no sign that the vehicle is coming, we have realised that the contractor of the vehicle, connived with some technical and political wing to share the money meant for the vehicle “.
Ndabi added that when they realised that the money might have been eaten, they reported the matter to police, brought anti corruption unit from the office of President but to date no report has been made over the progress of their investigation.
” Besides that, we heard the file has been sent to DPP and sanctioned but there is nothing taking place not even arrest this shows that the concerned have connived and agencies been compromised, this is why council has taken up decision of expelling the accounting officer since there is no any office they can run to Ndabi stated “.
On the same issue, Godfrey Mushindi councillor civic centre ward lower to municipality was not different from his colleague saying since December upto now they are still waiting for the vehicle where they always decieve them that it is still waiting for the number plate.
” We are wondering vehicle that was paid for in December upto now has failed to get number plate from the government and registered by URA” Mushindi lamented.
He adds that besides not procuring the New vehicle, the accounting officer has been missi using the old vehicle donated during COVID 19 he rubbed off the labels Masindi municipality COVID 19 for his on personal interest saying both vehicles should be brought and parked at municipality.
Mushindi further says town clerk is not supposed to be in office , his deputy Patrick Assiimwe be running municipality business until appointing authorities intervene.
He.adds that after council resolution on expulsion of town clerk, they are going to appoint ateam within this week who shall move to the office of PS and present the council view adding they have tried many ways town clerk turned deaf ears.
” Masindi municipality council is supreme body and we don’t think there is anybody who can dissolve what council has resolved” Mushindi stated.
Ronald Kyomuhendo mayor Masindi municipality in his Statement says, the steps taken by the councilors is right because the matter has taken long.
He however says in his communication with town clerk last evening and today morning, he was told by him that he was at the ministry of works following up the matter of the vehicle. But the main challenge is the accounting officer not giving update on how far he reached.
Kyomuhendo however disagreed with councillors resolution on expulsion of town clerk saying they have no power since technical people are sent by the centre what they can only do is recommending for his transfer.
He adds that it’s always hard to work in an environment where parties don’t coordinate but it’s always better to find win-win situation.
Patrick Assiimwe deputy town clerk who represented his senior while responding to angry councillors earlier on told them, Daniel Kasala had informed him and told him to deliver his message to them that he had gone to ministry of works something councilors disagreed with.
However section of some councilors suggested that both deputy and senior town clerk must not resume office but later changed their minds saying deputy should preside over but senior should not attempt to step over municipality headquarters.
We were unable to get comment from Daniel Kasala the expelled town clerk over the matter by pressing time.