By Steven Enatu
DOKOLO
The local council five chairperson Dokolo District James Otto Apili has written to the Ministry of Local Government requesting for the immediate transfer of Isa Mbooge, the Chief Administrative Officer Dokolo district.
Otto accuses the CAO for being incompetent and sabotaging development of the district as evidenced by his inability to provide satisfactory services to the people of Dokolo district.
This is contrary to the Local Governments Act (Chapter 243) 64 (2) that outlines the functions of the chief administrative officer.
According to the Letter, Otto outlined that the accounting officer (Mbooge) failed to appear before the committee of parliament of national economy who had come to the district to assess the Agricultural Cluster Development project in the district.
The letter points out that Mbooge being the accounting officer failed to provide draft budget estimates for FY 2022/2023 as required by law, utilized the 23 million for third quarter FY 2022/2023 under Uganda Road Fund. The district also failed to utilize the court fund of 48million for FY 2021/2022.
The letter also alleged that money worth 300million for construction of staff quarters in the two health centers of Aweki and Adok is likely to be returned.
Otto further noted that the accounting officer also has a case being followed by the state house anti-corruption unit for payment of ghost workers (Teachers).
Meanwhile Mbooge acknowledged the development saying that the Director local government inspector came around and he the (Local council five chairperson) realized his error.
“He needs to know his roles and responsibilities. Some of them need to be inducted, they are new leaders,” he said.
Asked why they have not conducted induction exercises, Mboogo answered, “It goes back to the ministry. There are no funds.”
He referred us to the Directorate of local government inspector that undertakes systematic verification of adherence to established legal and policy frameworks, regulations, guidelines, procedures and rules to ensure efficiency and effectiveness in the operations of local governments.
However, Otto when contacted for a comment said his office has not received any response from the ministry to that effect and referred the press to the ministry of local government.
However, in an effort to contact Walala John Genda, the director local government inspector said he is not the official spokesperson for the ministry.
However Local government act chapter 243 (68) states that the chief administrative officer and town clerk from office can be removed from office on the recommendation of the district or urban council by a resolution
supported by two-thirds of the council members.
This step can be on the grounds, (a) abuse of office, (b) incompetence, (c) misconduct or misbehavior or (d) such physical or mental incapacity as would render the chief administrative officer incapable of performing the duties of chief administrative officer.
