The Gulu chief Administrative officer (CAO) Gulu, Ms Dorothy Ajwang and the L.C V chairman Mr Ojara Martin Mapenduzi were accused before President Yoweri Museveni last Wednesday for failing service delivery by conniving to corrupt district funds meant for council development.
They were accused during a meeting with the President at the 4th division army barracks based in Gulu also attended by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mr Oulanya Jacob and Mr Sam Engola who is the vice chairperson of the National Resistance Movement (NRM).
This accusation were allegedly made by five district councilors under Forum for Democratic Party (FDC) who include Mr Olweny Balington Pa Ogwec the councilor of Bungatira sub county, Mr Nyeko Kenneth (Ongako), Mr Okoya Owen Chris (Palaro), Mr Wadok Francisco Awori (Koro) and Mr Komakech Patrick (Patiko).
Sources told Acholi Times that the five FDC councilors told the president that Gulu district councilors are sometimes not involved fully in some transactions and cited a case in which the district gave a piece of Land to Toyota company along Kitgum road in Bardege division saying the chairman was bribed to see the deal through.
They also cited the giveaway of district land to Uganda Management Institute (UMI) which they said was not properly done.
The councilors also said they would be ready to defect to NRM at the right time but gave conditions that they be given money, scholarships and Jobs by the president.
They said they would cross to the NRM at an appropriate time to avoid risking their current positions in the council.
The president in response said the corruption allegations against the chairman and CAO would be investigated and if found true, those involved would be prosecuted.
Impeccable sources within NRM also told Acholi times that on Friday evening Mr Oulanya the deputy speaker who is also the Member of Parliament for Omoro county gave each of the councilors Shs2million from Bomah Hotel in Gulu town as a start of capital for their defection.
Four councilors refused to pick their Phones but Mr Awori answered his and told Acholi Times that they met the president over service delivery and when asked whether they received the money he said,
“The money is tax payers’ money that I would not hesitate to receive as for crossing to NRM, those just rumors,” Mr Awori said.
When contacted, Mr Mapenduzi just laughed said that Toyota is renting the said land and that they give about Shs100 million to the district as revenue annually.
He said, “These councilors wanted their allowances increased and don’t know the right procedures.”
Mr Mapenduzi who is also the chairman for the FDC told Acholi Times that the councilors should just defect without creating lies to get them close to the president.
