A section of councilors in Njeru town council in Buikwe district have embarked on the process of trying to censure their speaker Ronald Katende.
David Karaja, a councilor for Naava zone in Njeru town council, says the speaker Ronald Katende, in 2011, signed a court document permitting Njeru town council to pay UGX 70m to Paul Musoke, Njeru town council LC3, after he won a court case against Njeru town council.
According to Karaja, the speaker Katende, did not seek the consent of Njeru town council in a council session to go ahead and sign the court document which led to financial loss for Njeru town council.
In 2007, Faith Mwondha, the Inspector General of Government then, forced Njeru LC3 Chairman Paul Musoke, out of office over nepotism and conflict of interest.
According to the IGG, Paul Musoke, refused to declare his wealth as required by the leadership code of conduct and also influenced employment of his relatives in Njeru town council.
Paul Musoke, later petitioned the chief magistrates court in Mukono and won the case. Njeru town council was ordered to pay UGX 70m to Paul Musoke for expenses incurred and the inconvenience he went through when some councilors dragged him to the IGG.
Without calling Njeru town council to sit and resolve on how to pay the money to Paul Musoke, Ronald Katende, went ahead to court and with a few other members signed a court document giving the go-ahead for Njeru town council to pay Paul Musoke.
Sylvia Babirye, a woman councilor for Bukaya, says in this case, the Njeru town council speaker had to convene council to seat and analyse the mode of payment and ascertain whether Njeru town council would be able to pay up the money or take legal action on the court ruling.
By Friday evening, 11 councilors had signed a censure paper which requires 20 signatures that form two –thirds of Njeru town council councilors as required by law.
Among the councilors who signed are David Karaja, Sylvia Babirye, Richard Kimera, Atanatius Semambo, Nabatanzi Kabuye and Faith Nasinde.
Michael Odeba, Njeru East B councilor, says there are no grounds for their action and the councilors should make consultations before moving on to censure the speaker.
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Ronald Katende, Njeru town council speaker says he will defend himself, but the councilors have to put up clear grounds.
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Njeru town council has been plagued by leadership wrangles since 2007, some the disputes having to be settled in the courts of law.
