Gulu district Chairman Ojara Martin Mapenduzi has written to the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Gulu saying that embattled Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Dorothy Magoola Ajwang is free to return to office.
Ajwang was recently forced out of her office by members of the Gulu district Executive Committee led by Mapenduzi’s deputy Simon Oola. The rowdy members of the district executive raided the CAO’s office taking away the offices keys and stamp from Ajwang.
In a letter dated Monday, March 27, 2017 Mapenduzi wrote to Gulu RDC Capt Okot Santos Lapolo noting that the office of the CAO is open for her to resume work.
In the letter Mapenduzi further writes on Friday 24 March, the Gulu district executive committee resolved to reopen the CAO’s office.
‘‘I would like to inform you that I convened DEC meeting on Friday 24th March 2017 and resolved that the office of the CAO be opened and Mrs. Dorothy Ajwang be allowed to perform her duties,’’ read part of the letter.
In the same letter, Mapenduzi recognizes Mrs. Dorothy Ajwang as the CAO of Gulu district.
‘‘As DEC our official position is in line with your views and do recognize the fact that Dorothy Ajwang is still CAO of Gulu as deployed by the centre[ read central government].’’
The letter was a response to another by RDC Lapolo dated March 22 in which he [Lapolo] raised concerns about the status of the implementation of government programmes in Gulu due to the absence of the CAO in office.
Mapenduzi and Ajwang have been at loggerheads. But the latest turn of events appears to be a short term victory for Ajwang who recently got backing from the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Local Government, Ben Kamumanya. Mr Kamumanya wrote to that the decision of the Gulu district council to recommend Ajwang for transfer was null and void.
Mapenduzi’s letter acknowledging the Ajwang as CAO and saying she is free to resume work appears to be a step down from an earlier hardline position.
