Several civil servants in Budaka district have abandoned their offices, following the widening rift, between the district councilors and the Chief Administrative Officer.
By mid-day on Monday, hardly any civil servant could be sighted around the administrative offices in Budaka.
It all started on June 10th when a council meeting passed a resolution to transfer the chief administrative officer, Elias Byamungu to another district, on grounds that he was abusing his office and misappropriating district funds.
The councilors are accusing the CAO, of misusing district funds amounting to 300 million shillings. But the CAO has denied the allegations. He explains that the funds in question were diverted to other activities with the hope that they would be recovered at a later stage. The CAO acknowledges that 24 million shillings was spent on salary advances.
With the CAO still in office, and the councilors still aggrieved, all activity seems to be grounding to a halt. Some civil servants who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Uganda Radio Network, that they cant do much as long as the CAO who is the sole signatory to the district accounts is still in a fix.
Security at the district headquarters has been stepped up too.
The Budaka district chairman, Arthur Mboizi, together with his council, have resolved to petition the permanent secretary, Ministry of local government, John Kashaka Muhanguzi, over the matter.
The CAO says he is in talks with the permanent secretary, over the issue. “I don’t want to continue pulling ropes with the politicians. As I speak now, lam in Kampala to sort this impasse by seeking guidance for the next cause of action” Mr Byamungu said on Monday.
Francis Mughono, the vice LC5 chairman maintains that the CAO has queries to answer before the inspector general of government.
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