Africa-Press – Uganda. Mr Richard Okello Orik and Mr Sam Atul have started work after being sworn in as the Lira District chairperson and the Lira City mayor, respectively.
Mr Okello was sworn in on Monday while Mr Atul took oath the following day.
However, unresolved problems related to accountability and corruption are likely to give the newly-elected leaders a hard time.
At the district chamber, for instance, top officials were interdicted over allegations of irregular sale of government land.
The land in question is near Lira Regional Referral Hospital under Mr Atul’s area of jurisdiction.
Those interdicted include the district natural resources officer, Mr Fabious Otike, Ms Hellen Anyango, the secretary of the district land board, Mr Joseph Ocen Alwong, the lands management officer, and Mr Francis Opio, the district land surveyor.
The four allegedly sold the land on Plot 41 Church Road and at Ireda estates to private developers without following required procedure.
Mr Ben Ogwete, the chief administrative officer (CAO), confirmed the interdiction.
“You are hereby interdicted from duty with immediate effect to pave way for further investigations and disposal of the said case. While on interdiction, you will be receiving half pay and you will not be allowed to frequent the offices. You shall not leave the country without permission from the chief administrative officer,” Mr Ogwete said.
He directed the officials to hand over all their duties and government property in their possession in accordance with Section (F – d) (1 – 7) of Uganda Public Service Standing Order 2010.
The new leaders also have to deal with ensuring security following the disappearance of Elizabeth Akello, a four-year-old child, from Timber Yard in Lira City East Division, who went missing on April 8.
While security maintains that there is no cause for alarm, concerned residents say they have little hope of finding the girl alive.
Poor garbage management is another challenge for the city authorities. Already, there is growing concern about the health of thousands of people choking on garbage dumped near Lira Main market.
Under the first phase of Markets and Agricultural Trade Improvement Programme, the government constructed seven modern markets with support from the African Development Bank .
The facilities were established in Lira, Fort Portal, Wandegeya in Kampala, Jinja, Hoima, and Mbale districts.
Accordingly, in February 2015, President Museveni commissioned Lira Main market, constructed at more than Shs28 billion.
It accommodates about 8,530 vendors. Today, more than 5,000 people use the market, statistics from the city clerk’s office indicate.
Mr Lawrence Egole, the City Resident Commissioner, acknowledged that garbage has become a health hazard.
However, the top leaders have vowed to deal with the challenges.
Mr Atul had earlier said he would resign if he failed to handle the garbage mess.
Mr Orik warned the councillors against engaging in corruption shortly after taking oath.
Mr Morris Adem, the district speaker, called for unity among leaders in order to ensure service delivery.
“If you are here to fight, I am calling upon you to change and be pillars of unity. We need to join hands in order for our district to develop,” he said.
Ms Geneva Natukunda, the Lira Chief Magistrate, urged the new leaders to perform their duties in accordance with the law.
“I believe God has put you in these positions to serve the people. Therefore, you need to serve honestly, diligently and transparently,” she said.
