By Gerald Niyirinda
A section of in Kisoro district councillors have protested the delay by the district speaker to hold meetings to discuss the most critical issues, like the District Service Commission (DSC).
The district council last sat in May, but Councillors are uncertain when the next sitting will be held.
The councillors are also concerned that Kisoro district continues to miss the State of the District Address and failure to appoint members of the DSC by the LC5 Chairperson.
The tenure of the members of the commission, riddled by bribery allegations, expired on August 18, while Kisoro has not had a State of the District Address for the last three years.
These issues have ignited social media debates, with no tangible response from relevant officials.
The District Service Commission is established under Article 198 (1) of the Constitution and section 54 (1) of the Local Governments Act, CAP 243, and under section 54 (2) of the same Act.
The District Service Commission is responsible for the appointment, promotion, disciplining and removal from office all employees other than the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Deputy CAO, Town Clerk and Deputy Town Clerk of a City and Town Clerks (TCs) of Municipalities who are appointed by the central government.
Agaba James, the LC5 Councillor representing Southern division in Kisoro municipality, says that Kisoro district local government is “illegally using public funds because the council did not approve the monies”.
In an interview with www.vomuhabura.com, Agaba urged councillors to join efforts and petition the Speaker’s office.
“It’s a new financial year but the council has not yet approved this quarter’s spending through committees of council. Without the State of the District Address, we don’t know what has been achieved or not,” said Agaba.
According to Agaba, “councillors would like to see things moving forward, not allowances only.”
He blamed the absence of the District Service Commission (DSC) on failure by the Council Speaker to call for meetings and the LC5 Chairperson who he accused of ‘delaying to appoint members.’
“We should have sat. Its already three months, now coming to the fourth since we had a council meeting. If we had a meeting, the Chairperson would have presented names. We can even sit tomorrow.” said Agaba.
His sentiments are shared by Bishubeho Louis, the Kirundo LC5 Councillor, who says this paints a negative picture of the council.
“We are only confused. We don’t know how much funds have been allocated to local governments and which projects are to be undertaken because the technical people have not presented in the council. They are utilising budgeted funds without our approval but we hear them cry out that there is no money.”
Beshubeho also raises a red flag on individuals who were given appointment letters but have not been deployed to work stations for close to 4 months.
“When the District Service Commission’s tenure expires, council should be informed and we approve another group. We are even shocked that some people who received appointment letters have not been deployed for work.”
But the LC5 boss, Abel Bizimana, shrugs off the idea that he has not appointed members to the DSC, saying “I am immune. The speaker is the one to mobilise the council and I attend.”
“You recently heard him say that council can progress without me. Ask the speaker why the council is not sitting. He is the one who coordinates with the Clerk to council to apply for council funding from the CAO.”
Amos Hakizimana, the speaker blames the delay on funding.
Hakizimana says on 19th July 2024, he invited councillors to a sitting that was scheduled for 31stJuly 2024, but they turned his request down since there were no allowances.
He did not disclose when the next meeting would be held, saying it would depend on the availability of funds for councillors’ allowances.
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