Sub counties in Kabalore have halted their operations following a decision by the district stopping sub counties from collecting revenue because of lack of accountability. The affected sub counties are Karangura, Kyeitamba, Busoro, Hakibale, Kichwamba, Kijura, Mugusu and Katebwa. Bukuku Sub County has failed to account for 150 million shillings generated from local revenue collection.
As a result, Kabale district authorities have ordered all sub counties to halt any local revenue collection and bank all the money in their possession. This has affected the work of sub county staff as there is no money to carry out their work. Bruce Mugenyi, a dairy farmer says that for two months, the extension staff has not been treating his animals as it has been in the past.
He says that he has resorted to use the services of private veterinary doctors, but they charge him highly.
//Cue in: “…no help from them.”//
Cue out: “very expensive…”
In Karangura Sub County the completion of three public toilets and two markets at the trading centre has also hit a snag, angering traders. 50 million shillings from local revenue had been budgeted to construct the facilities. Since there is no toilet, traders are forced to use toilets of Karangura Church of Uganda, which is far away from the trading centre.
Gertrude Nyakaisiki, a trader at Karugura trading centre says that she is not happy selling her merchandise in the open. She says that whenever it rains, she loses her commodities. At the sub county headquarters, motorcycles of the staff have all been parked because they are no funds for fuel.
Moses Alituha, the sub county chief says that the sub county had collected money worth 45 million shillings, but was deposited on the district account on the orders of the Chief Administrative Officer. The deputy CAO Kabarole, Peter Bagambaki says that the sub county authorities will not be allowed to collect and use the local revenue, until they have accounted for funds.
He says that sub county chiefs and accountants delay to give accountability, because they could have mismanaged the funds. The sub counties rely on local revenue, which is generated from trading licenses in markets and shops, leasing out markets and abattoirs.
