The Minister of Local Government has been accused of allegedly interfering in the work of the Kabarole district executive committee (DEC).
Adolf Mwesige, who is also the Member of Parliament for Bunyangabu County, is accused of influencing the district executive to divert funds that were meant for setting up nursery beds in the district.
The 2011/2012 district work plan shows that nursery beds were to be established in Bunyagabu, Burahya and Fort Portal Municipality. In August the district approved a budget of 14 million shillings for the nursery beds.
During the district executive meeting held on September 1st, Mwesige instead ordered the members to purchase tree seeds to be planted in Kabonero, Kibiito and Katebwa sub counties located in his constituency, and in Karangura and Kichwamba sub counties in Burhaya County.
In September, Mwesige was the chief guest when the trees were being planted in the three sub counties.
The purchase of the trees was done hurriedly and did not follow the official procurement procedures.
The Minister’s interference came to light during the district council meeting, when councilors asked Juma Nyende, the Chief Administrative Officer to explain why the nursery beds were not set up in the three counties and yet the money was approved.
Nyende failed to answer and referred the matter to Richard Rwabuhinga, the district chairperson. Rwabuhinga said that establishment of the nursery beds was halted because they wanted to purchase trees for areas which had been affected by hailstorms.
Rwabuhinga also denied that Mwesige influenced the district executive to change the initial plan. However, he was shocked when Prosper Businge, the district councilor representing Fort Portal Municipality showed him the minutes of the executive meeting which Mwesige attended and it was agreed that the trees instead of nursery beds be purchased.
Businge says that Mwesige’s attendance of the executive meeting raises suspicion. He questions why the district executive members changed the initial plan in the presence of the Minister and agreed to plant trees in his constituency and yet several areas in Burahya County and Fort Portal municipality were also affected by hailstorms.
Joram Bintamanya, the councilor representing South Division says that the interference of the minister caused misappropriation of funds. He says that since the procurement process was not followed, the price of the trees was inflated.
Last week, Richard Nyakaana, the Kabarole district secretary for production was sacked for allegedly mismanaging 14 million shillings, meant for purchasing the trees. Nyakana used only 5.5 million shillings. He allegedly swindled the rest of the money.
Mwesige however refused to comment on the matter and switched off his phone.
