Tempers flared in Hoima town council chambers on Friday during the budgeting following a heated exchange the town clerk Pius Epaju and councilors. It all after councilors led Margaret Mande, the representatives of Central Ward tasked Epaju to present a comprehensive financial report for the ending financial year, which he didn’t have.
The town clerk to the matter personal and shot back at Mande accusing her of fighting him because he is not a Munyoro. Mande would not have any of this. She charged towards Epaju but was intercepted by the speaker Paul Amanya and other councilors. At that time Epaju was also seen folding his shirt getting ready for a fist fight with the no-nonsense councilor.
As a result, the speaker adjourned the council for about half an hour to allow the tempers to cool down. Despite the fact that business resumed later, councilor stood their grounds and refused to approve the 25 percent vote on account until Epaju tables a comprehensive financial report. The vote on account allows the council to continue operating in the interim period between the old and new financial year until the budget estimates are approved.
The councilors said without a comprehensive report there was no way they could assess the budget performance of the ending financial year. The motion to block the Vote on account was moved by Brian Kaboyo, the youth councilor and unanimously backed by majority council members. Kaboyo argued that not until the town clerk comes up with a comprehensive report detailing how public funds were spent in the ending financial year, council will not approve the 25% vote on account.
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Epeja pledged to have the report ready by July 15. The speaker Paul Amanya says an extra ordinary council meeting would be held soon to receive the comprehensive financial year report and approval of the 25 percent vote on account.
