OUT-GOING MBARARA DISTRICT CAO SQUEEZED TO PAY 2.5 MILLION RENT ARREARS

By Aggrey Twesigye
In Mbarara

The Mbarara District Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Meeting was on Tuesday treated to drama as the district chairman, Didas Tabaro directed the district internal auditor to audit the out-going Chief Administrative Officer(CAO), Edward Kasagala over rent arrears.

In a meeting which was held at the district headquarters in Kamukuzi, Tabaro shared that the district has been receiving reports that the out-going accounting officer doesn’t not pay rent. He said the district owes him rent arrears worth 2.5 million.

Tabaro further shared that he was surprised with the manner how the Chief Administrative Officer stubbornly ignored issues which were raised before him during the Public Accounts Committee meeting.

Tabaro accuses the out-going accounting officer of allegedly conniving with a one Nelson Mugumya the acting-Town-Clerk Rubindi-Ruhumba Town council to channel the town council’s local revenue instead of remitting it to the town council’s account. Tabaro revealed that he wrote a letter to Kasagala directing him to investigate the matter but instead kept the letter to himself.

Appearing before the district Public Accounts Committee meeting chaired by its chairman Herbert Kamugisha, Edward Kasagala admitted to have defaulted two months’ rent arrears which he committed himself to clear before handing over office.

Kasagala however declined commenting about the issue of Rubindi-Ruhumba town council where he is being accused of conniving with the acting Town clerk to channel the town council’s local revenue.

He said the matter is now before the Inspectorate of Government (IG).

Edward Kasagala who has been serving as the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Mbarara district, since 2019 was transferred to Rubirizi district to serve in the same capacity.