Ahmed Kayemba, the LC 3 chairman of Katwe-Butego Division in Masaka and the town clerk Joel Dumba have come under pressure from councilors to resign over the failure to pass the budget. The councilors accuse the duo of greed and dishonest leading to the postponement of the passing of the division budget. During a council meeting held on Wednesday, the councilors accused Kayemba of deliberately refusing to pass the budget until his emolument is revised from shilling 300,000 to 1 million.
They claim to have discussed and exhaustively all the issues in the budget on several occasions but Kayemba and Damba refused to endorse it. Led by Abdullah Tamale, a member of Katwe-Butego division finance committee the councilors dismiss Kayemba demand for salary increment saying it is selfish. Tamale says the conduct of Damba and Kayemba exhibits greed and incompetence.
Tamale says that they are not convinced that Kayemba should get a pay rise because he earns the highest pay amongst all division chairpersons in Masaka. He says that the LC 3 chairman of Nyendo-Ssenyange Division gets Shs150, 000 and Kimanya-Kyabakuza Division chairperson earns only Shs100, 000. Edward Ssali, the speaker Katwe-Butego Division alleges that Kayemba masterminded the blocking of the budget until the councilor’s approval his salary increase. He explains that the failure to pass the budget has affected grounded all division work.
Kayemba says they have resolved to demand the resignation of the town clerk and LC III chairman. But Kayemba defends his demand for a pay rise saying he is a full time employee of the council. He also claims to have a lot of work bent on his shoulders. Kayemba also denies blocking the passing of the budget saying that he is not the town clerk. Joel Damba, the Senior Ass. Town Clerk in charge Katwe –Butego division denies allegations that he connived with the chairman to block the passing of the budget.
Damba claims that his office is independent and operates professionally. He claims that he referred the budget because it had some gaps that need to be filled before it is passed.
