MBARARA CITY COUNCILLORS UP IN ARMS OVER ‘GHOST’ ROADWORKS

By Twesigye Aggrey

MBARARA

Mbarara City council councillors have clashed with the deputy Mayor Priscah Mulongo who also doubles as the secretary for works as they demanded an explanation on how Mbarara city council allocated funds to work on two city  roads which were never worked on.

The matter came to limelight light during a council meeting held last week on Thursday  after the deputy mayor Priscah  Mulongo  presented a report indicating that the two roads which include (2.2km) Butagatsi -Kyarwabuganda in Kakiika Mbarara city North  division  and(0.75Km) Asuman Matovu road  in Nyamitanga Mbarara city South Division were worked on by Mbarara City council  at a cost of Ugx. 105,432,000  and ugx.29,991,000   respectively in the financial year Budget of 2021/22

However councillors led by Godfery Baryomunsi representing Kakiika refuted the deputy mayor’s report noting that one of the roads, the   Butagatsi -Kyarwabuganda which is  in his constituency was never worked on though the money was released  from the Council’s accounts.

Ronald Taremwa another Councillor who also doubles as the secretary  for finance asked Councillors to put to task the multi-purpose Committe and the secretary for works in the city to account for the money released   to work on the two roads.

He  said the two parties will show how the money allocated to work on the roads was put to good use.

Betty Tigefera another councillor blamed the city Mayor for not being practical as she delivered a report which never contained  correct information.

In her submission ,Tigefera further  noted that the City Works department needs  Devine intervention and  called for immediate investigations into the misappropriation of funds  meant to renovate roads.

Eunice Asiimwe  the chairperson  Mbarara city council multi-purpose committee revealed that her Committe is not aware of  the Butagatsi -Kyarwabuganda  road  and they have never monitored it

She adds that her Committe managed to monitor Asuman -Matovu road in company of the city Engineer and they only found out that the road had never been worked on.

When contacted ,the city Engineer Melina Keikijusyo revealed to councillors that the two roads  of  Kyarwabuganda -Butangasi and  Asuman -Matovu roads were worked on.

She adds that the scoop of work on  the two roads was opening and grading which was done.

However the council meeting chaired  by  speaker Bonny Tashobya Karusya resolved to do a spot check on the purportedly worked on roads.