Lira District is stuck with a supplementary budget of Shillings 30 million meant for the disputed Iwal sub-county. It is one of the sub-counties, which were carved from Lira District to form part of Lira city. It appears in the national gazette as a ward in the city.
However, there has been contention between the City and district as to where the sub-county belongs. While addressing the council meeting on Thursday, Ben Otim Ogwete, the Lira District Chief Administrative Officer blamed the confusion between the two administrative units on the Ministry of Finance, which released the funds to the district.
He said the district is waiting for clear guidance from the ministry before the money is transferred to the city accounts if need be.
Taking into account a similar scenario that happened with Anyomorem sub-county, Otim explained that transferring the funds from the District to the city accounts is a long process that will affect service delivery but is necessary.
At Anyomorem when the Ministry sent the funds to the district instead of the city, the Permanent Secretary at Ministry of Health wrote a letter directing the CAO to transfer the money to the city.
Bonny Omara, the Lira District LC Vice-Chairperson argued that Iwal Ward is non-existent blamed the area Members of Parliament for advocating for gazetting of Iwal sub-county as a ward within the city.
But Linda Agnes Auma, the Lira District Woman MP cautioned councillors to handle the matters of national interest with the consciousness of the law, saying if Iwal is to be de- gazetted then it has to be through a council resolution.
After the creation of cities, Raphael Magezi, the Minister of Local Government made a pronouncement, saying all tangible and intangible assets of districts, former municipal councils, division councils, annexed town councils, and sub-counties falling within the territorial boundaries of the city are supposed to be the property of the city.
