Jacklyn Sanyu, the project sociologist under the Continuum Consulting Firm, revealed that the failure to elect grievance management committees had hampered the project's progress following the reoccurrence of conflicts in the community over land disputes.
In June, Fort Portal City contracted China Railway No 18 to embark on the rehabilitation of Millane 0.72 kilometers, Kabundaire Water supply 0.9, and Mugoma Kahungabunyonyi 0.66 kilometer roads in the central division at Shillings 20.4 billion under the USMID program.
Otimong’s troubles started on October 6 last year when he was arrested on the orders of the Deputy Inspector General of Government, Anne Twinomugisha Muhairwe while in Fort Portal for a public hearing that was organized by the Inspectorate of Government-IG.
Rose Kajubu, the Fort Portal City North Division Speaker, says that they met the Fort Portal City Clerk at the end of last month over the matter who promised to remit the money in a short time but since then, nothing has been done.
Edson Asaba Ruyoga, the Fort Portal City Mayor told URN that the city does not have money to continue with the construction of the chambers. He says that they are currently looking for Shillings 10 billion to pay off awards arising from court cases, which makes it hard for the city to continue with the construction.
According to Asaba, the search for compensation money has affected service delivery in the city because the money that would be used for services like rehabilitation of roads, cleaning, and garbage collection is instead being diverted to settle court cases.
The disagreements began in 2018 when Gen Salim Saleh the national coordinator of the Operation Wealth Creation launched the Kabarole Industrial Park which was to be constructed on the land with the aim of adding value to agricultural products produced in the Rwenzori region.
According to the December 6 attachment notice issued by Francis Dawa Matenga, the Assistant Registrar of Fort Portal High Court to Godfrey Kasuka, a court bailiff, the debt stems from a case filed in the High Court against Fort Portal municipality by David Kazoba Guma in 2018.
In his November 3rd, 2022 letter to Rukungiri Chief Administrative, Kumumanya, says the appointment takes immediate effect. He explains that Kagaba will serve as Fort Portal city clerk for six months in an acting capacity as the ministry looks forward to appointing a substantive city clerk to occupy the position.
“We note that this is not the first incident in, which your conduct could be perceived as an obstruction of the IG in the execution of its mandate to which we take exception. Be advised that hindering or obstruction of any person acting in the exercise of powers conferred by the office of the IG is an offense and thus punishable under section 35 (g) of the same act. By copy of this letter, the permanent secretary is further directed to implement the IG decision contained in our letter of 27th October 2022 without any further delays," the letter reads
The interdiction follows an October 27 letter from the inspectorate of Government to the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Local Government ordering for the interdiction of the Town Clerk after establishing that his stay in office would affect the ongoing investigations against him.
In an October 27th, 2022, letter to the Permanent Secretary, the IG says that they have established prima facie against Otimong and his continued stay in office amidst the ongoing investigations is likely to affect its progress.
Speaking at the launch of the project, Eng Ivan Nandinda from the Ministry of Water explained that the Ministry through the water and sanitation development facility southwest entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Karago community to implement a water supply and sanitation system in the first phase, which didn't benefit other areas.
Nyakairu said the council had taken an extra mile to share with the landlord of the premises who explained the relevance of the road and okayed the works. He, however, says that they were astonished to hear that the councilor had continued to push for legal action against the institution.
Businge says they have set aside Shillings 50million under the Development Discretionary Equalization Grant- DDEG to kickstart the relocation exercise.
She says that the money will be used to level the three hectares of land that will accommodate the dealers.
Samuel Musana, the senior physical planner of Fort portal tourism city, says that they are facing a huge challenge due to the absence of a blueprint, which is supposed to guide the development of the city.
“As you are aware, the chief magistrate Fort portal in his attachment warrant dated 2nd March 2022 in which, two vehicles Reg LG 003-122 and LG 009-116 were attached to recover cost estimated at UGX 40,000,000 in the case involving Alituha Billy Vs Fort portal city. The money is to be recovered through Bwamwenda bailiffs and auctioneers with immediate effect," reads the letter.
