he Tribunal, chaired by Francis Gimara and composed of Nelson Nerima, Thomas Brookes Ishangana, Paul Kalumba, and Charity Kyarisima, delivered the ruling after Obon and Infrastructure Development JV accused the Council and MBJ Technologies Limited of contempt of its earlier decision.
Asse Abireebe Tumweisgire the Mbarara City Town Clerk says that the last council sitting approved the executive’s resolution to commit the money to procure a vibrant roller, a pedestrian roller, a minibus for revenue collection and project monitoring, and a water bowser.
The 134 million shillings is the remaining balance from the 500 million shillings that was earleir allocated for the rehabilitation of the Katete Bridge, however, only 366 million shillings was spent on the bridge’s rehabilitation.
The outstanding obligations include payments to contractors for various projects: the renovation of the City Registry with a retention amount of UGX 4 million; a staff house constructed at Karama Primary School with a retention amount of UGX 1 million; the Nyamityobora staff house with a retention of UGX 37 million; and Bugashe Primary School with a retention amount of UGX 2 million.
Jessica Mwijuka, the councilor representing workers, explained that the council is likely to lose a significant amount of money under circumstances unknown to them. Byansi Muhammad, the councilor representing Nyamityoobora, said they are now left with no option but to impeach the city mayor for undermining them.
Nyamityobora A and B Wards councilor Muhamad Byansi echoed the call for swift action, urging the mayor to instruct the Town Clerk to arrange a meeting within seven days.
Badru Ssemwogerere, the chairman of the Ankole United Truck Owners Cooperative Limited, explained that the protest stemmed from frustrations regarding the failure of the city leadership to streamline the issue of loading and offloading fees after the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets (PPDA) Tribunal suspended their tender.
The councilors want both individuals to explain why the Matooke Market is generating less revenue than what was agreed, resulting in a shortfall of 72 million shillings in local funds.
Zelda Nkwikiriza, a vendor said that the confusion in the central market was a result of a lack of a tenancy agreement that should be used to determine the ownership of the lockup or stall in the market.
The bridge that was constructed in 1999 crosses over River Rwizi and provides a shortcut for traders connecting to Mbarara from Isingiro district and a shorter route to residents who stay in Nyamitanga and Katete Ward.
Allan Karakure, the City Commercial Officer and chairperson of the organizing committee, assures that this year's Mbarara City Festival will feature an array of activities including street expos, exhibitions, medical camps, blood donation drives, cultural performances, and music and dance shows.
Mbarara City Council in October 2023 lost its Cemetery land in Court after a group of people sued the council for encroaching on their land leaving the city without a burial site for unclaimed bodies.
According to the new reserve prices recommended by the city executive committee vice chairperson and deputy city mayor, Priscah Mulongo Muganzi, the city projects to collect from Biharwe Matooke Market 4.6 Million shillings, Nyamityoboara daily Matooke market, 3.7 Million, Kikona Matooke Market 16 Million, central market parking 4.6 million, central market slaughter fees 4.1 million.
Led by Luganda Magidu, Arinaitwe Edward, Mastkio Bashir, Musasizi Evarisito, Bintukwanga Ronald Kigundu, Rukundo Aggrey, the riders under Mbarara City General Boda Boda Operators' Association petitioned the court in March seeking a judicial contesting the suspension of their association's leadership elections.
She said that during budget discussions for this financial year, they agreed that the revenue collection from the Matooke be increased to 16.8 million. However, the documents presented indicated a collection of 101 million, averaging 8 million monthly – a figure that wasn't agreed upon during budget discussions.
According to the plan, the City will focus on improving the education sector through the construction of 70 classrooms at 18 primary schools, three-unit staff houses in nine primary schools, and others.
