Johnson Baryantuma Munono, the embattled Masaka town clerk has finally agreed to release more than 500 million shillings to carry out major road rehabilitations in the municipality.
This comes after months of public protests against him. Last year, Baryantuma ordered for the freezing of all municipal and three division accounts under unclear circumstances, an action that paralyzed service delivery in Masaka town. The affected divisions are Katwe-Butego, Kimanya- Kyabakuza, Nyendo-Ssenyange and the entire Masaka municipality.
The decision sparked off public protests led by Godfrey Kayemba, the Masaka mayor and Peter Mutesasira, the former Masaka municipality parliamentary candidate, who accused Baryantuma of embezzling the funds meant for roads.
Since last year, Baryantuma has been under fire from the general public which demanded for his removal for alleged sabotage of development in Masaka town.
But Baryantuma has finally agreed to open up the accounts to allow the release of funds to renovate six roads in the town which are currently impassable.
Some of the roads whose construction starts next week include Jathebai road, Alex Ssebowa road, Kitovu road, Ssese Street, Upper grant Street and Kabula Street.
Baryantuma says three contractors have won tenders to undertake this road work. He identifies some of the contractors as M/S Norrkoping Uganda Limited, Wamala Technical Services, and ABS Assured Engineers limited.
Baryantuma claims that he decided to block bank accounts after a directive from the office of the solicitor general. He explains that the solicitor general had to look at the agreement which Masaka municipality had signed with the contractors before approving the construction.
He however says he had decided to open up the accounts since the solicitor general has approved the road work.
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Kayemba says he is going to be strict on the contractors who have won the tender for road work. He also says he is still carrying out independent investigations to find out the back ground of some of the companies.
Daniel Mulondo, the Masaka Works Secretary, however, criticized Baryantuma for delaying the work.
Kayemba is expected to officially commission the road construction next week.
