The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has this morning announced that a mere Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government has no powers to sack a mayor of a town council.
FDC Presient Kiiza Besigye
The President of FDC, Col. Kizza Besigye says that reports that a permanent secretary in the ministry of local government had interdicted the Mayor of Hoima, Francis Atugonza are false and laughable.
This is contained in a news statement signed by Besigye sent to Ultimate Media’s head offices in Kampala today. Besigye says in laws of Uganda a mere permanent secretary has no powers to sack any elected leader in local government.
The permanent secretary in the ministry of local government, Kashaka Muhanguzi said that the Inspector General of Government directed him to interdict the mayor of Hoima Town Council until court charges against the mayor are complete. Mayor Atugonza is charged with abuse of office and is under prosecution by the anti corruption court.
It is said that Atugonza illegally sold a piece of land to Warid telecom without the approval of Hoima town council. So the permanent secretary directed the mayor to vacate his office and hand it over to his deputy. Besigye says their party will challenge this directive in court. Atugonza is the National secretary for trade and industry in FDC.