A motion seeking to block councilors in Kabarole district from talking to the media, sparked off a bitter row during a council session on Monday.
Joshua Kagaba, the Ruteete and Kiiko town council district councilor moved the motion arguing that councilors should immediately be banned from using the media especially radio to disclose council and district issues.
Monday’s motion stemmed from the controversy surrounding the manner in which the money given to councilors for a field trip to Bushenyi was handled.
Councilors were allegedly given 260,000 shillings for a field study trip to Bushenyi, but six of the councilors boycotted the trip and allegedly misappropriated the money.
This matter was brought to the attention of the public by some councilors, using the radios and newspapers.
But an effort to control how councilors use the media, sparked off a row that saw several councilors storm out of the council hall. Some councilors were heard describing the motion as “poison”.
Denis Nkwansiibwe, Rwimi town councilor rejected the motion on grounds that silencing councilors is ridiculous, in an era where people must be informed about council activities.
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Joseph Mashuhuko, the Karambi Sub County councilor argued that such a motion defies the constitutional right to freedom of expression.
Mashuhuko said banning councilors from speaking to the media is like sentencing the district to doom.
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The district chairman, Richard Rwabuhinga, too rejected the motion. He reminded the councilors that he has always supported an open publicity of all council activities.
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