Councilor petitions Gov’t over ‘illegal occupation of offices’ by RDCs

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Moses Kataabu, the Kampala Central 2 councillor at Kampala Capital City Authority- KCCA has petitioned the government challenging the continued occupation of office by Resident City Commissioners- RCCs and Resident District Commissioner. He argues that RDCs are working without valid instruments of power from the appointing authority.

Article 203 of the constitution gives powers to the president to appoint RDCs and RCCs to monitor the implementation of central and local government services in the district, act as chairperson of the district security committees and carry out such other functions as may be assigned by the President or prescribed by Parliament by law.

In January 2021, President Yoweri Museveni transferred RDCs. He appointed 145 as full RDCs and named 87 others as deputy RDCs. “In Exercise of the Powers conferred on the President of Uganda by Articles 99 and 203 of the 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda (as amended), I hereby, appoint the following persons as Resident District Commissioners and Deputy Resident District Commissioners, respectively,” reads the letter announcing the appointments.

Now, through his lawyers, Nalukoola, Kakeeto Advocates and Solicitors, Kataabu has written to the Attorney General, saying that RDCs and RCCs appointed by the president between 2016 and 2021 continue to occupy those offices without renewal of their appointments.

In his petition to the Justice and Constitutional Affairs Ministry, Kataabu says the RDCs are transacting and conducting several government activities without any mandate in total contradiction of the Constitution of Uganda.

“They are involved in very sensitive activities like conducting district or security Committee meetings, heading COVID-19 task-forces, holding government resources like motor vehicles among others to the detriment of the taxpayers’ money,” reads the notice in short.

Kataabu wants the Attorney General to intervene in the matter that he says is unconstitutional and illegal and find the means to mitigate the far-reaching consequences of the impugned tendencies and or activities. He has given the Attorney General’s office a fourteen days ultimate to rectify the matter or he proceeds to court. The Attorney General’s chamber is yet to respond to the petition.

****

URN