The speaker had called the council session to discuss quarterly reports by the different committees as well as to consider resolutions of the executive committee on the intervention towards preventing the spread of the Ebola virus in the area.
Masaka city council hall was a scene of drama Wednesday evening when the
Speaker, Tonny Ssempijja decided to call off the council session prematurely citing nonpaid emoluments and alleged insubordination
by the technical wing.
The speaker had called the council session to discuss quarterly reports by the different committees as well as to consider resolutions of the executive committee on the intervention towards
preventing the spread of the Ebola virus in the area.
However, the session ended prematurely after the
Speaker expressed discomfort with what he described as an unconducive environment
in which he was operating, arguing that he could not proceed to preside over the debate on any matters.
Besides the poor seating arrangement, which he says was shading a bad image of the City, and nonpayment of councilor's allowances for five sittings,
Ssempijja also protested the failure of the Office of the City Clerk to provide
enough copies of the reports, which the council was meant to discuss.
He said it was improper for the City council to continue using very
old plastic chairs and tables some of which are even broken, yet the council passed a resolution to procure appropriate furniture.
Ssempijja also noted with concern that it has become a deliberate habit for
the heads of departments not to implement council resolutions, arguing that it is a sign of insubordination towards the political leaders.
Despite pleas by Masaka City Clerk, Geofrey Bemanyisa for the council to proceed as planned,
Ssempijja stood his ground and called it off until further notice.
//Cue: “I’m
so disappointed….
Cue out; ….
having this session.”//
His decision was unanimously welcomed by the fourteen Masaka
City Councilors who cheered him as he walked out of the council hall.
Rogers Bulegyeya, the Masaka City Male Youth Councillor, and Finance Committee Secretary said that some of the departmental heads in the technical
wing are too arrogant to work in harmony with the political heads hence working
towards failing them.
He blamed Bemanyisa for failing in some of his responsibilities of building teamwork among the technical and political
team hence creating unnecessary contradictions.
Zahara Nalubyayi, the Female Councillor for the Kimanya-Kabonera
division also blamed the technical staff for deliberately disregarding the
political leaders in the implementation of public projects as well as denying
them expenditure reports.
(Luganda)
//Cue in:
“ekyo kizibu ky’abakozi….
Cue out: ….yabeera
atuddamu.”//
Florence Namayanja, the Masaka City Mayor, said that they
are considering calling in external forces to help them put some of the technical
staff to order because she has repeatedly engaged them to embrace teamwork without success.
//Cue in:
“wekituuse kyetagisa….
Cue out: ….ebitakoleddwa
bulungi.”//
Geoffrey Bamanyisa, the Masaka City Clerk declined to
comment about the incident. He told journalists that
he could not speak about the matter, and instead hurriedly entered his car and
drove away.
