Kisoro district council on Thursday approved a motion to renew Nshaka Erastus’s tenure as the Chairperson of district service commission with two other members, despite stiff objection from a few councilors.
LC5 Chairperson Abel Bizimana read out the names to the house. His motion proposed that Nshaka Erastus bounces back as the chairperson, Turamuhawe Richard as a member representing PWDs with a renewed contract, Rev. Fr. Safari Emmanuel as a member with a renewed contract.
Mbabazi Peace and Busingye Gaudensia are members in their first term.
The District Vice chairperson, Alex Nambajimana opposed the motion, reasoning that the commission has been marred by corruption allegations and shouldn’t be given another term.
He was quickly cut short through a point of procedure raised by Agaba James, Councillor representing Southern Division.
However, the district LC5 Chairman Abel Bizimana took the floor to rebuke his vice. He said it is immoral and an embarrassment for his vice to oppose his submissions.
“You said that those with evidence of corruption allegations against the commission should present it. But depending on what has been happening around, you yourself Mr Chairman you have been in this district, you have been hearing on the radio, in ….” Said Mr Nambajimana, before he was cut short.
In response, Mr Bizimana said, “it is very immoral, actually very immoral for the vice chairperson, a member of the executive, to start vulgarising what the executive did. It is embarrassment.”
An attempt by honorable Philip Ntacyotugira to halt the approval of the service commission proved futile as the speaker, Amos Hakizimana, instructed him to relinquish the microphone and return to his seat.
“May I call upon you honourable members who have heard what has happened out there, lets unite ourselves and write to the Public Service Commission and they come to investigate and inquire about what is happening here.”
Speaker Amos Hakizimana interjected, reminding him that during his tenure as the Chairperson DSC, he was no angel.
“Thank you mzee. I want to remind Mzee one thing which I remember. There is a letter called Niyibigira Lita, do you still remember her? Whom you gave a job without documents…and was disqualified?”
But Hon Ntacyotugira retorted, “No no. That is a pure lie!”
Bizimana refuted bribery allegations against the commission, asserting that they are baseless since Nshaka and his team have never faced any legal procedures in this regard.
Speaking to journalists shortly after the council session, Hon Ntacyotugira accused Speaker Amos Hakizimana of exerting undue influence on the duties of the service commission, which is mandated to operate independently as per the local government act.
Ntacyotugira recounted incidents where the speaker allegedly solicited for money from job seekers.
“During my tenure, the speaker would want to influence our decisions. He would ask us to offer jobs to some people, and whenever we would turn him down, he would go to radio and make false accusations against us. I later knew that Mr Hakizimana would receive money from job seekers and then come to influence us.” Said Hon Ntacyotugira.
The councilor representing Nyakabande Sub-county, Maniraguha Godfrey said he was shocked that his colleagues changed their stand, amid public outcry about bribery allegations that have tainted the commission.
“It is shocking that in the whole council, we were only four that opposed the motion, yet we have all been agreeing on disbanding the commission. I really think these councilors were bought off to support the motion.”
The LC5 Councillor representing Bunagana town council, Kwizera Innocent Semasaka regretted that councillors have not yet gathered evidence against the commission, despite councillors that supported the motion are beneficiaries.
“Its quite absurd that that all of the councilors are concealing the truth when they know it. The people who have all supported the motion are beneficiaries. We know what is outside. Because we know how it is stressing to get a job. We know what it costs to get a job….I know speaker how you are engaged how you are involved in those things…I know chairman (Bizimana) how are engaged and involved in anything and everybody else…the Kazimili, agaba….”
Mr Kwizera alleged that some councilors in unison with the Speaker and LC5 Chairperson colluded with the Service Commission to demand bribes from job-seekers.
LCV Vice chairperson Nambajimana Alex noted that while the council approved the renewal of 3 commission members, concerns from the public regarding bribery and sexual harassment persist.
Nyarusiza Sub County LC5 Councillor, Mfitumukiza John, defended their stand. He said Nshaka Erastus deserved an opportunity to address the challenges facing the commission.
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