Godfrey Kayemba Afaayo, Mayor Masaka municipality has intensified pressure on the town clerk to account for shillings 1 billion that was released for road rehabilitation and maintenance in the town. In August 2011, Masaka Municipal council approved a budge of shillings 2 billion for road maintenance. Some of the roads earmarked for maintenance are Naludugavu road, Buddu Street, Soweto-Line road, Yellow Line Street among other roads which are now impassable due to huge potholes.
Kayemba says ministry of works released shillings 1 billion in the first quarter for the rehabilitation and maintenance works. He alleges that ever since the money was released to the district John Baryantuma, Masaka town and his assistant Joel Damba have refused the funds. Kayemba accuses the duo of colluding to embezzle the funds. He claims that the failure by Baryantuma to advertise and release the funds indicates that they have embezzled it. Kayemba now wants both officials arrested to account for the money.
Daniel Mulondo, Masaka District Works Secretary says that the failure to release the money for rehabilitating the roads has left them almost impassable. Mulondo has given the town clerk an ultimatum of one week to release the funds and advertise for the construction of the road or else risk arrest.
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A group of Mechanics operating along Naludugavu Street that is badly affected want Baryantuma removed from office for alleged incompetence and being corrupt. Matia Mulondo, chairperson of Naludugavu Mechanics association says that the town clerk and the municipal engineer Augustine Tulibarungi have been implicated in several scandals in road construction.
Mulondo cites the embezzlement of funds meant for construction of Kitovu-Nakayiba last year. He says that they want the local government minister and public service to transfer the town clerk or they will forcefully remove him from office on Tuesday next week. Damba Joel, the assistant Town Clerk and Augustine Tulibarungi, the Municipal Engineer have declined to comment on the matter.
Johnson Baryantuma, the embattled town clerk told URN that he is away in the village in Kabale. He declined to comment on why he failed to release funds for road construction saying he will explain when he returns to office next week after his Christmas break.
