Nebbi Municipal Council Operations Paralysed by Gown and Seal Dispute

Council proceedings in Nebbi Municipality have been severely disrupted as a stalemate over the official gown and seal paralyzes administrative functions. Committee meetings are failing to convene, and crucial work plans are being approved at the executive level without proper oversight, as official documents remain unsigned.

The core of the issue lies with the council’s official gown and seal, which Clerk to Council Faith Biwaga alleges are in the possession of Speaker Eddy Jawoko. According to Biwaga, both the Speaker and his deputy initially took the items upon being sworn in, but only the deputy later returned hers.

Biwaga stated that the Speaker retains both the seal and the gown, despite numerous appeals. She described a practice where the Speaker reportedly takes the seal home to stamp documents, returning it afterwards, which deviates from the standard procedure of the Clerk maintaining custody. This has led to delays, including the non-signing of minutes from a special sitting where the Speaker and deputy were elected.

Speaker Jawoko, however, presented a different narrative. He admitted to taking the gown home but claimed it was for cleaning as it was found dirty in the mayor’s office. He strongly denied being in possession of the council seal, suggesting that some leaders are resistant to adopting new administrative practices.

Deputy Mayor Howard Musa, who also leads council business, attempted to downplay the situation, attributing it to a “knowledge gap” and a misunderstanding of roles rather than a crisis. He also pointed to funding challenges and a lack of induction for new leaders as contributing factors to the disruption.

The dispute highlights critical questions regarding the proper handling of official council property, with the Clerk responsible for the custody of records and the seal integral to official business. The current impasse risks impacting the council’s ability to conduct its affairs effectively. As of now, the gown remains with the Speaker pending cleaning, while the seal’s whereabouts and custody continue to be a point of contention.

Source: Nile Post