The Inspectorate of the Government has warned Local Government minister, Rafael Magyezi against interfering with ongoing corruption allegations against Fort Portal city town clerk, Moses Otimong.
“In view of this, we have shared with the permanent secretary that this decision stays as we wait for the report of the investigation. This is to ensure that there is no gap left in service delivery, therefore, I appeal to you to use your discretion and let the town clerk do a smooth handover as he has already been transferred to the next station and if the report comes out pinpointing the officer we shall support and expedite the appropriate action to be taken against him,” partly reads the minister’s letter.
However, the Inspectorate of Government would not have any of this and insisted that the town clerk must leave the office. In her November 3 letter addressed to the minister, Anne Twineomugisha Muhairwe, the deputy Inspector General of Government (IGG), says that Otimong must vacate office within seven days. She also cautions the minister against continued interference in the mandate of the IG.
“We note that this is not the first incident in, which your conduct could be perceived as an obstruction of the IG in the execution of its mandate to which we take exception. Be advised that hindering or obstruction of any person acting in the exercise of powers conferred by the office of the IG is an offence and thus punishable under section 35 (g) of the same act. By copy of this letter, the permanent secretary is further directed to implement the IG decision contained in our letter of 27th October 2022 without any further delays,” the letter reads.
Prosper Businge, the Fort Portal city councillor and member of the city executive welcomed the decision by the Inspectorate of Government, saying it will save other districts from the transfer of the officer under investigation on serious allegations. She notes that Otimong has already left the office to his deputy, John Bosco Rusoke.
Otimong is accused of alleged abuse of power and mismanagement of public resources. On October 27, the Inspectorate of Government wrote to the permanent secretary of the Local Government directing the immediate interdiction of Otimong after establishing that he had a case to answer resulting from the accusations levied against him. Magyezi wrote back on November 1 saying that indicting the town clerk would cause a gap in service delivery.
He also noted that the permanent secretary had notified his office about the process of transferring the town clerk to a different destination, which would prevent him from interfering with the ongoing investigations. Magyezi listed five reasons that require the town clerk to remain in office for at least two weeks before his transfer to the next workstation.
He cited the ongoing assessment of the Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID) project, which requires a substantive officer, payment of pensions and gratuity, an area that is very key and sensitive and requires the town clerk’s authorization and compilation of information on Saccos for the parish development model among others, which he maintained could not be delegated.