Councilors of Mbarara district council have blocked Godfrey Baryomunsi, the LC V Vice chairperson from presenting the district state of affairs address citing the absence of the LC V chairman and key district officials without any apology. The councilor convened today to receive the budget estimates for the new financial year and listen to the district state of affairs address by Deus Tumusiime, Mbarara district LC V chairman.
Despite the importance of the budget and the state of affairs address that was scheduled to be presented in the council, several district officials were absent from the council. Those who notably absent included the LC V chairman, area Members of Parliament, Speaker William Tibamanya, CAO David Rubuka, District Engineer, Finance Officer, DEO Edward Mbabazi and RDC Clement Kandole amongst others.
The absence of the top district leadership without any apology drew protests from the councilors. As a result, Robert Alinanye, the councilor representing Bugamba Sub County moved a motion to block Godfrey Baryomunsi, the LC V vice chairperson from presenting the district state of affairs address. He said the absence of the chairman without an apology undermines the council.
Attempts by Hanning Turyahebwa, the outgoing clerk to council to explain to the councilors that the LC V chairman was away on official duty in Kampala and CAO was appearing before the commission of inquiry into the mismanagement of UPE and USE funds fell on deaf ears. The council chaired by Juliet Kamushana, the deputy speaker supported the motion to reject the district state of affairs address by the vice LC V chairperson and resolved to differ it to the next council session in June.
Edwin Akoragye, the councilor Biharwe Sub County moved another motion to compel all the district leaders to apologize in writing for skipping the reading of the district budget. Earlier on the angry councilors had attempted to block the passing of the supplementary budget and vote on accounts on grounds that the CAO disrespects them because he bounces their requisitions for their sitting allowances. According to the budget estimates tabled before the council by Ferry Bebuze Tumwesigye, Mbarara district finance secretary the district plans to spend shillings 21.6 billion in the new financial year.
