Disagreements are emerging between politicians and technocrats in Kitgum town council over the construction of stalls and shops around Kitgum Boma Grounds.
The standoff is likely to hamper the completion of the construction work on the Boma grounds, which has taken close to two years.
The technical team led by the acting Town Clerk, Michael Wokorach and the town engineer, Owen Onim argue that the pitch must be fenced while the politicians want parts to be allocated for the construction of shops.
The technical group has recommended that the entire place be fenced off either with perimeter fence or wall fence. They argue that the place is not meant for commercial activities because there are offices, primary schools and other civic activities that cannot go hand in hand with the noisy business environment.
While presenting a report to the council on Friday, the town engineer, Owen Onim said such a move would hamper the smooth running of offices and Kitgum Pubic Primary School. He recommended that the place be fenced off with a wall fence.
Cue in: “there are issues to consider…”
Cue out: “…for those kind areas’s usage”
The acting Town Clerk, Michael Wokorach also backed the town engineer. Wokorach said the area is surrounded by a primary school, offices and residential quarters and it would be inappropriate for them to introduce a noisy activity within the same area. He agrees that the area should be fenced off with wall fence.
However, the politicians led by the LCIII Chairperson, Richard Ojara Okwera would have none of these. Ojara ordered the town officials not to meddle in the policy matters and only wait to implement what the council has passed. He warned the technical team that they are not entitled to discuss policy matters in the council.
Ojara said the council will go ahead with the allocation of plots around the pitch to private developers for construction of shops which will act as fence to the pitch.
Cue in: “it is our work as politicians…”
Cue out: “… that boma ground is fenced”
Several other councilors also backed the chairperson on the decision to allocate the plots to private developers.
Meanwhile the town council residents are accusing the councilors of trying to use their positions to apportion the plots for themselves.
Denis Ojara, a resident in senior quarters where the Boma ground is located says if the plots are allocated, they must be done in a transparent manner. He cites an example in the market where he alleges that most of the prime plots were allocated to the councilors and other influential personalities within the town council and the district.
Jane Adokorach, a business woman in the town is of the similar view. Adokorach says the decision by the town council politicians must be vetted. She wants a different committee to take charge of the allocation to avoid political influence.
The construction of Boma ground started in 2010, when the area was handed over to Service Technology and Construction Company.
The construction has taken close to two years. Last year, Kitgum district lost hosting of both primary and post primary athletics national championships because of lack of pitches for the activities.
