By Johnson Kanyesige
A section of Kikuube district councilors have signed a petition to censure the Speaker Chris Nkalu.
In the petition signed by 15 councilors, Nkalu is accused of abuse of office, incompetence and misbehavior among others.
In their petition to the district chairperson Peter Banura dated April 5, 2023, the councilors led by Lawrence Kasangaki (Buhimba town council), Nestori Tumwesige (Kyangwali) and Zulia Nyakahari (Kikuube town council) intend to move a motion of censoring the speaker.
The councilors say tat the speaker holds another office of profits other than the speakership role which is contrary to section 11(12) of the local government act cap 243.
They also note that the speaker’s conduct in running the council is not to their satisfaction since he allegedly doesn’t consult other stakeholders.
They are concerned that the speaker seems to be influenced by internal and external influence yet he is expected to be impartial and ensure that unity prevails.
They also accuse the speaker of incompetence when he called for an emergency sitting on January 27 to discuss service delivery and budget performance yet such issues could even be discussed in normal council sitting and they reveal it later emerged that the sitting was aimed at removing the chief administrative officer, Dorothy Ajwang.
In his response to the councillors petition, the district chairperson Peter Banura has written to the clerk to council directing him to take the necessary action immediately.
Spice FM was unable to get a comment from Nkalu by the time of filling this story.
According to the Local Government Act, a speaker or the deputy may be removed by a council resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of the members of the council on any or all accounts of abuse of office, incompetence, misconduct, or misbehavior.
While the act states that a notice shall be submitted to the Minister [of Local Government] or his or her representative by the clerk to the council and the minister, his or her representative shall evaluate the notice for removal of the speaker and if satisfied that there are sufficient grounds for doing so, shall, within 30 days after receipt pf the notice, convene or cause the convening of a meeting for the removal and election of a speaker.
