Gulu district local government’s legal troubles are far from over.
Already hit hard by a 4.4 billion shilling court awarded to former Parish Chiefs who court ruled had been dismissed without following procedures, Gulu has again been dragged to court former employees and companies who are demanding for over 800 million shillings in damages, salary arrears and unlawful termination from service.
The former employees are Kenneth Oketta, the former Chief Finance Officer (CFO), Margret Adimola Amongi, a former Inspector of Schools, Richard Odokonyero, a Clinical Officer and Kenny Pido Stephen, a Forest Ranger
Mr Oketta’s contract was terminated in 2003 after he allegedly was involved in the misuse millions of shillings meant for school facility grant (SFG). He is demanding for over 600 million shillings in damages and salaries missed since his dismissal.
Oketta accuses Gulu District Local Government authorities for unlawful dismissal as well as unlawful prosecution after High Court cleared him in 2007 on grounds that he had no case to answer on the allegations of labelled against him.
Oketta’s case is now before the Industrial Court which adviced the two parties ( him and Gulu Local Government) to settle the matter out of court.
In a related case, Margret Adimola Amongi is demanding for 51 Million Shillings in damages and 78.3 Million Shillings in salary since 2004 when her contract was terminated by Gulu district. The matter is also before the industrial court.
On the other hand, Kenny Pido Stephen, a Forest Ranger is demanding that he be reinstated after he was dismissed from his job for allegedly receiving bribes from charcoal dealers.
Richard Odokonyero, a clinical officer attached to Lanenober Health Center 3 wants court to compel Gulu District Local Government to pay him salary arrears for four years after he was promoted from clinical officer to senior clinical officer. The medic accuses the district of failure to honour his promotional appointment.
Four contractors have also run to court demanding for over 200 Million shillings from Gulu district. The companies are Watwero Enterprise (11.5 Million shillings) after Gulu hired but allegedly failed to pay the company for work done.
General Computer Service Limited is asking for 29.1 Million Shillings for failure by the district to pay for production of plastic ID card for the district staff.
Others are; Shell Malindi which claims it supplied fuel to the district and it is demanding for 7.6 Million shillings for general damages and costs.
Paragon Engineering Ltd is asking for 185. 2 Million Shillings for failure by the district to pau after constructing 2 classrooms blocks and a drainable latrine.
Martin Ojara Mapenduzi, the Gulu District LCV Chairperson said on Thursday that some the court cases were inherited as a result of some of the decisions made by the 7th Council.
Mapenduzi warned if care is not taken, the overwhelming court case is likely to paralyze activities in the district.
The district is contemplating hiring a lawyer in a bid to tackle some of the legal battles after the one it hired died in 2013 in an accident.
The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Dorothy Ajwang, says she suspects that the court cases could be work of mafia involving some civil servants.
