Mbarara Council Questioned Over Revenue Discrepancies and Financial Accountability
The Mbarara City Council executive came under fire for alleged lack of transparency regarding financial accountability and local revenue collection, particularly concerning funds from Kikona Market.
During a heated council meeting, city councillors voiced their frustrations over discrepancies between the budget and actual revenues.
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Councillors raised concerns about the 16 million shillings that had been approved for Kikona Market, only for the current budget to reflect a reduced figure of 10 million shillings.
This sparked an intense debate, and other key issues, such as solid waste management, early retirement of teachers, establishment of the regional service center in mbarara by NITA which is requesting for half an acre of land near the central business district, bamboo planting in the city, community based service activities under the ministry of gender labor and social development were not given enough time for discussion
The meeting also featured pointed questions directed at Mayor Kakyebezi and the executive regarding his alleged unilateral decision-making, particularly the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for Kikona Market without prior consultation with the council.
Speaker Tashobya Bonny pressed executive members, including Kazibwe Abas, secretary for health and community developmentand Secretary for Production Mutabarura Monica, about their involvement in the negotiations that led to the budget changes.
“If they are paying 10 million, where is the agreement and who made this decision?” Bonny asked, reflecting the growing impatience among councillors for accountability in financial matters.
Mutabarura Monica sec for production noted that,"I don't know anything about that meeting" where as Kazibwe Abas said, "who am I to object if the Mayor has communicated "
Maganzi Murongo prisca the deputy mayor explained that the reduction in fees was reached after discussions with vendors who objected to the original amount, noting, “in a meeting with the executive and the division mayor and town clerk, we invited the vendors and they asked us to reduce this money because they were renting the land from someone else.”
The council meeting also highlighted issues surrounding the handling of 12.13 billion shillings earmarked for the USMID project, which remains un utilised.
The mayor, Kakyebezi Robert Mugabe, defended the council's actions, stating, “Most of the people have been complaining that this money was taken back yet we still have much to do. True the money was taken back but we are following up to ensure that the funds are used appropriately for the Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID) project. ”
As councillors raised concerns about revenue collection and the management of local markets, Kakyebezi faced allegations of intimidation during meetings, claiming, “I almost shifted from here due to intimidation.”
The mayor underscored the importance of improving market conditions, not just in Kikona but also in other private markets like Koranorya, urging the council to take collective action.
“It’s your mandate as the council to close this market if necessary,” he stated, calling for a proactive approach to resolve the ongoing issues related to revenue collection and market management in Mbarara City.
