The Kabale District Council has given a 6-day ultimatum to their LCV chairman, Mr Nelson Nshangabasheija, to hand over the old pickup he has been using to the office of the chief administrative officer.
The vehicle is to be re-allocated to other departments for effective service delivery.
The council’s demand follows a presidential pledge to provide new vehicles to local government leaders, which was fulfilled last month when 176 leaders across the country received brand new vehicles.
The minister of local government, Mr Raphael Magyezi, had directed that old vehicles previously used by district chairpersons and mayors be handed over to respective speakers of districts, cities, and municipalities.
During a council session on December 17, councillors questioned why Nshangabasheija had not handed over the vehicle.
“Since the LCV chairman Mr Nelson Nshangabasheija is present in this council session, he should be given a microphone to address the council over the matter,” said district councilor for Butanda, Mr Gilbert Niwanganyira.
Nshangabasheija did not respond when given the microphone. Chief administrative officer, Mr Ronald Mutegeki, said he had written to Nshangabasheija about the matter but received no reply.
The council passed a resolution giving Nshangabasheija until Monday to hand over the vehicle. Councilor Moses Bikorwomuhangi described Nshangabasheija’s silence as disrespectful to the council.
“It’s unfair for him to keep using two vehicles at the expense of other departments that do not have any,” Bikorwomuhangi said.
The chairperson of the finance committee, Mr Richard Mporera, said his committee recommended repairing two vehicles in the district yard to ease execution of district activities.
Councilor Peace Rutarimara asked Nshangabasheija why he closed the CAO’s office, but he didn’t respond.
Mutegeki said the matter had been resolved.