Masindi municipal council has split into factions over privatization of waste management in Masindi municipality.
During council sitting held on Tuesday at the municipal chambers, councilors exchanged bitter words with the municipal speaker accused of being a dictator and selfish while handling council matters.
This was after OpioTadeo, the municipal council speaker ruled that James Ventures Uganda limited a private firm continues to collect garbage in Masindi town, a section of councilors opposed his ruling stressing that they faulted some laws to legalize the contractor’s operations.
It should be recalled that starting this-month-October, Masindi Municipal Council identified a private firm in the names of James Ventures Uganda limited to take-up the role of garbage collection in Masindi-town whereby garbage generators were required to pay some money for waste management.
According to the contractor’s rates per month, roadside vendors were to pay 10,000 shillings, shop owners 15,000/-, whole sellers 24,000/- to 30,000/-,
hardware’s and supermarkets 60,000/-, schools 150,000/- per month among others.
However, the above proposal did not go well with a section of councilors who questioned the procedure on how the private firm was identified and how he determines the rates which they termed as exorbitant charges.
Akugizibwe Robert commonly known as Robert and sons the councilor representing Kiujra questioned the criteria how the private firm was identified noting that it has made the whole process informal and doubtful.
Peter Ndabi Isingoma, the councilor representing Kikwanana ward told our news reporter that the speakers ruling was under the influence of money adding that as councilors they will not accept selfishness to prevail in council.
Abdul-Aziz Siringi, a counselor for southern ward told journalists that as councilors representing the voiceless Ugandans, they will not back off as they see illegality taking trend in Masindi municipal council.
In his response, Opio Tadeo the municipal speaker denied accusations of faulting rules of procedure which govern council sittings.
Opio went ahead and quashed allegations of having received money equivalent to one million shillings to spearhead the passing of the above proposal.
Kyomuhendo Busiinge Ronald, the Masindi municipal mayor asked councilors to desist from disunity recounting that garbage management needs a collective effort.
Meanwhile,the town clerk Masindi Municipality, Francis Nyamugo promised to seat as municipal leaders in abide to revise the charges.
