The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Moroto, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Moroto district councilors want the Resident District Commissioner, George William Wopuwa transferred for alleged interference in council business. The angry councilors resolved unanimously on Wednesday to recommend Wopuwa’s immediate transfer from the district.
They accused him of among others overstepping his mandate, witch-hunting and harassing civil servants, undermining and antagonizing the District Council, and underperformance in the management of security matters. The Moroto district female youth councilor, Margaret Maruk moved the motion for Wopuwa’s removal on allegations of promoting division in the council instead of providing guidance.
Maruk said the RDC was using his powers to intimidate the councilors and take sides in minor conflicts and yet they expected him to help guide the council that has been grappling with a lot of issues. “We have already issues that need to be addressed in this august house, I thought with the presence of our RDC and being someone experienced, I was hoping that he guides us on how to resolve some of them. Unfortunately, he has gone an extra mile to own the council,’’ Maruk lamented.
The District speaker, Ceaser Akol put the motion to a vote and the majority of the councilors supported it demanding the immediate transfer of the RDC. The Nadunget sub-county female councilor, Longora Mary Goretti, one of those who supported the motion, said the actions of the RDC have fueled fights at the council. Longora accused the RDC of dominating the council, denying them time to present their matters and sometimes claiming to be the chair of the council.
Akol confirmed the development, saying the council decision was based on Section 73 of the Local Government Act Cap 243 which provides that. “The district council may recommend to the appointing authority the removal of a resident district commissioner or a deputy or assistant resident district commissioner by a resolution supported by two-thirds of all the members of the council, stating the grounds for the recommendation for such removal.”
Akol said that as a council, they cannot continue to work with someone who does not know his mandate, saying that it is their request that the government considers appointing for them another RDC who is experienced on council matters and willing to share ideas for development.
Wopuwa who wasn’t present during the council sitting could not be traced for comment as all his known numbers were off. His Deputy Justin Tuko said the motion was politically motivated. Tuko wondered why the council rushed to pass such a resolution without seeking advice on how to handle the matter.
“You cannot just wake up as a council to move a motion to remove someone on allegations which do not have evidence. This is very wrong,’’ Tuko said. He noted that the fight was generated from the recent sitting where the council moved a motion to reject the appointment of the Loputuk sub-county female councilor as the vice LCV chairperson.
In October 2022, councilors rejected the nomination of Rose Adero, the Loputuk sub-county female councilor as LCV vice chairperson on the grounds that she lacks the requisite academic qualifications, abuses office, and has integrity issues.
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