Dates for first local government council meetings set

Luwero, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT |  The Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Local Government has issued guidelines for swearing and holding first council meetings for newly elected leaders.

The term for local governments will end on Wednesday May 12th next week and swearing in new leaders shall commence from 13th-20th May this year.

In his circular dated Monday 3rd May ,2020, Ben Kumumanya the Permanent Secretary of Local Government Ministry has ordered Chief Administrative Officers and town clerks to arrange with incoming chairpersons or mayors to hold first council meeting between 24th-28th May.

In his circular, Kumumanya proposed an agenda for first council meeting which should include swearing of Chairpersons, hand over by CAO to chairpersons/mayors, election of speaker presided over by a Magistrate and the speaker presides over elections of his/her deputy.

Among other items on agenda will be address of council by Chairpersons/ mayors who will also nominate the vice chairpersons/mayors and secretaries for council to approve before the council is closed.

Kumumanya has also ordered the CAOs to help outgoing chairpersons to prepare comprehensive hand over reports, submit then to the CAOs who will in turn hand over to incoming chairpersons after swearing in.

He has also directed that all government property under custody of chairpersons be handed over to ensure smooth transition.  He also asked chairpersons to hand over specific assignments, pending cases and organizations/clients they have been working with to perform their duties.

“In accordance to article 175 of the constitution and in consonance with Public Service Standing Orders (section f-d) a public officer who is leaving office is required to hand over his or her duties to the incoming officer” – circular reads in part.

The circular says that the guidance will apply to all municipalities, divisions, town councils and sub counties as per local government act.

As a result district chairpersons and speakers are now in final preparations to hold last council meetings.

Ronald Ndawula the outgoing LC 5 Chairperson of Luwero district says that they are planning to hold the last council meeting in this term on Friday this week to approve budget for next financial year 2021/22.

Ndawula says that he is also writing his final hand over report and it will be ready in time as the circular as dictated.

Dithan Kikabi the Luwero district speaker says that most business that will be discussed has been concluded save for the health committee which will sit soon and resolve some key issues to present in last council meeting.

Erustus Kibirango the incoming LC 5 Chairman of Luwero welcomed the circular saying it provided clear guidance on what to do and when.

Kibirango says that in past terms, districts had a practice to decide when they wanted to hold the swearing ceremonies which created a leadership vacuum.

Kibirango added that he will meet the Chief Administrative Officer on Wednesday this week and agree on exact dates for swearing and the first council meeting as proposed by the Local Government Permanent Secretary.

Fredrick Lwanga Balaam, the district speaker for Nakasongola says that a business committee will sit today to agree on issues to discuss in the last council sitting and date so as to abide by the circular timelines.

In Nakaseke , Ignatius Koomu the LC 5 Chairman who also retained the seat said that last council meeting will be held on Monday 10th to approve the budget and close the term.

Koomu says that they are yet to agree on the swearing dates since they were still engaged in finalizing the budget and hand over reports.

*******

URN