Koboko District Leaders Dismiss Allegations Over NWSC Generator and Hospital Ambulance Issues

By Our Reporter

KOBOKO, Uganda Jan 4 [SHIFTMEDIA] Koboko District’s top leaders have strongly refuted allegations circulating on social media accusing them of involvement in two controversial incidents: the disappearance of a National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) generator and the impounding of the Koboko Hospital ambulance by the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) at a Packwach checkpoint in 2023.

The District Chairperson, Mambo Ashraf, alongside the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) John Bosco Akera, Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Emmy Mitala, and District Council Speaker Andabati Baker, have collectively dismissed these accusations as baseless and misleading. Describing the allegations as “rubbish,” the leaders emphasized that such claims are an attempt to tarnish their reputations and undermine public trust in the district’s administration.

In their statement, the leaders condemned the spread of unverified and misleading information on social media by enemies of development, which they said undermines their commitment to serving the community. Chairperson Mambo Ashraf emphasized that the district administration had no connection to the generator’s disappearance, asserting that the matter falls under NWSC’s jurisdiction and is was handled appropriately.  NWSC management said they transferred their generator to another area with a bigger clientele.

Regarding the ambulance impounding, CAO John Bosco Akera clarified that the URA’s action was based on procedural issues unrelated to the district’s leadership. He added that the matter was duly resolved in courts of the law, and the ambulance recovered to serve the hospital and the community.

RDC Emmy Mitala called on the public to seek accurate information from official sources before drawing conclusions. He warned against the dangers of spreading baseless accusations, which could damage the reputation of public servants and hinder effective service delivery.

District Council Speaker Andabati Baker reiterated the leadership’s focus on development and accountability, urging residents to collaborate with the administration in fostering transparency and progress.

The Koboko leadership appealed for calm and responsible discourse, stressing their commitment to addressing any legitimate concerns affecting the district while safeguarding their integrity against unsubstantiated claims.

Speaking during an interview, Chairperson Mambo Ashraf reiterated the administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability, highlighting ongoing efforts to address pressing local issues and deliver services to the community. He condemned the spread of unverified information on social media, urging the public to seek factual information from official sources.

CAO John Bosco Akera clarified: “The talk that we (district officials) are behind the missing NWSC generator is rubbish. NWSC have the mandate to transfer their property at any time and anywhere they wish. This is what happened, but a few wrong elements called it theft.”

Similarly, RDC Emmy Mitala explained that the ambulance impoundment by URA was related to compliance issues, stressing that no district official was implicated in the incident. “This matter was investigated, culpirts arrested, prosecuted in courts of law, and case was closed,” he said.

District Council Speaker Andabati Baker echoed the sentiments, calling for unity and focus on developmental priorities instead of divisive rumors. He urged residents to hold constructive dialogues and avoid perpetuating unverified claims that could derail the district’s progress.

This strong rebuttal from Koboko’s leadership underscores the growing challenges posed by misinformation in local governance and highlights the need for vigilance in addressing such issues.

 

Leaders Defend Redeployment of Ambulance Driver

The redeployment of Norbert Abukuwa, a driver attached to Koboko Local Government, has sparked mixed reactions among residents and local leaders. Abukuwa, who was arrested in 2023 for smuggling contraband cigarettes using a Koboko Hospital ambulance, has returned to his post despite public outcry and allegations of impropriety surrounding his reinstatement.

In 2023, Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) officials apprehended Abukuwa while transporting 16 sacks of contraband cigarettes in an ambulance with registration number UBD 512X. This incident, involving a public service vehicle meant to save lives, shocked the Koboko community and raised questions about accountability in local government operations.

Our investigations revealed, and was backed by the Koboko District Local Government Chairperson Ashraf Mambo that this was not the first time Abukuwa was misusing government vehicle.

Some politicians and community members have expressed dissatisfaction with Abukuwa’s return, alleging that he bribed his way back into his position. These critics argue that his actions betrayed public trust and endangered the reputation of the local government. They contend that his reinstatement undermines efforts to combat corruption and sends the wrong message about the consequences of misuse of public resources. Among the outspoken critics is Hajjat Naham Medina, the NRM Director for Finance and a daughter of the soil, who claims that returning Abukuwa to duty was due to bribery and amounts to abuse of office and corruption.

However, top district officials, including Koboko District Chairperson Ashraf Mambo, Resident District Commissioner Emmy Mitala, District Council Speaker Andermart Baker, and Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Akera John Bosco, have come to Abukuwa’s defense. These leaders maintain that his redeployment was carried out in accordance with the law and procedural fairness.

Mambo has emphasized that Abukuwa was arrested, arraigned in court, and entered a plea bargain with URA. As part of the agreement, he paid a fine as a penalty for his actions. “As per Ugandan laws, an individual cannot be punished twice for the same offense,” Mambo asserted. He further explained that Abukuwa’s case was resolved through the legal system, and he was deemed eligible to resume his duties.

Standing Orders Explained

“When your son commits a crime, you don’t follow up? When we heard about our ambulance being impounded in Packwach, I was concerned and followed up, ours was to have the ambulance released since it’s the only one we had operational in the district,” explained Mambo. “Me, and the CAO then let law take its course. Most people claimed I was behind the smuggling, but remember I am a muslim, and I don’t smoke, secondly as per the laws, one can only be interdicted after six months, upon conviction, this man was charged, he paid the fine and returned, if we were to interdict him, he would sue the district, and would mean us losing revenue,” said Mambo.

CAO Akera John Bosco added that Abukuwa’s redeployment was consistent with provisions under the Local Government Act. According to Akera, interdiction of Abukuwa was lifted because the six months had expired as provided in the Standing orders. “A person can only be on interdiction for not more than six month for matters in court. If the matters are concluded, the officer is reinstated,” explained the CAO. He noted that failure to reinstate Abukuwa could have exposed the district to lawsuits for wrongful interdiction.

The RDC, Emmy Mitala pointed out at the time of the incident he was newly deployed in Koboko, and words made rounds that since he was of the same tribe with Abukuwa, he was behind the racket. “As RDC I ensure the driver was arrested and arraigned in court, once someone has already been charged, what role do I have again to block that persons redeployment?” said Mitala.

Despite these legal justifications, critics argue that ethical considerations should have played a more significant role in the decision-making process. They highlight the moral implications of allowing someone who misused public resources to continue serving in a position of responsibility. “This decision sets a dangerous precedent and erodes public confidence in the district leadership,” one area councilor remarked.

Ignited Debates

The controversy has also reignited debates about governance and accountability in Koboko Local Government. Some residents have called for a review of policies governing the conduct of civil servants and stricter enforcement of anti-corruption measures. Others have demanded greater transparency in the district’s decision-making processes to ensure that such incidents are handled in a manner that prioritizes public interest.

Meanwhile, supporters of Abukuwa’s reinstatement argue that he has already faced legal consequences for his actions and should be given a second chance to rebuild his career. They caution against punitive approaches that may hinder rehabilitation and reintegration of individuals who have served their penalties. “Everyone deserves an opportunity to correct their mistakes and move forward,” said a district official who preferred anonymity.

The RDC  has called for calm, urging the public to respect the rule of law and the decisions made by district authorities. “We must allow the legal process to guide us. If we disregard the law in favor of emotional reactions, we risk creating an environment of chaos,” Mitala stated.