Bundibugyo district local government has diverted shillings 500 million from key sectors to compensate seven workers for illegal dismissal from work. In 2010, seven district officials were sacked for failing to account for more than 400 million shillings that was meant for the construction of water sources in Busaru, Nyahuka and Mitandi Sub Counties.
They are David Nkoojo, former deputy CAO, Michael Musoki, former water officer and Gerald Kaliisa, former deputy Chief Financial officer. Others are David Baluku, Jackie Masika, Isaiah Muhereza and David Ruhweza. The officials petitioned high court for illegal dismissal and won the suite. Court ordered the district local government to pay the officials shillings 500 million in damages.
Recently, Bundibugyo district local government diverted shillings 500 million from the health and works sectors to compensate the official. Details obtained by URN show that shilling 300 million was drawn from the Primary Health Account. It was meant for the renovation of the ceiling and construction of pit latrines at Bundibugyo referral hospital.
While the shillings 200 million from the Works sector was meant for the rehabilitation of access roads to Cocoa Rich areas of Busaru and Bubukwanga Sub Counties. However of the diversion of funds came after Moses Balewa, the chairperson of the Bundibugyo hospital management committee wrote to Francis Mwesige, the deputy CAO, requesting for funds to replace the leaking roofs of the hospital and construct three toilets.
Moses Twine, the senior medical officer Bundibugyo hospital says that he was surprised when he was told that the money had been paid to civil servants. Twine says that when it rains, water floods in the admission wards forcing some patients have to leave their beds. Dennis Kisembo, the District Health Officer says that the diversion of the funds has affected the recruitment and training of village health teams. He says that training has been put on halt until funds are secured. Gerald Suza, chairman Bundibugyo Farmers Association says that the district should have paid the officers in the next financial year.
He says that, with the rains that are soon starting, if the roads are not worked on, farmers will find it difficult to transport their products to the market. Suza says that the district should look for funds and rehabilitate the roads because they are a priority to the community. Francis Mwesige, the deputy CAO Bundibugyo said that they had to pay the officers in time, because court had set a deadline of up to the end of this month to have paid the officers.
Mwesige says that the district will now rely on local revenue to replace the diverted funds. He however says that the district may not raise the funds because the local revenue contributes only 30% to the district budget.
