Council business stalls in Nebbi as Speaker, Clerk trade accusations

What the report says

Nebbi Municipal Council in northwestern Uganda is dealing with an administrative dispute that has slowed routine business, according to Nile Post. The disagreement centres on the council’s official gown and seal, with Clerk to Council Faith Biwaga saying Speaker Eddy Jawoko has kept both items, while Jawoko says he only took the gown home to clean it and does not have the seal.

The report says the dispute has contributed to council functions stalling: committee meetings have not been holding, some work plans have been approved at executive level without wider scrutiny, and several official minutes remain unsigned. Biwaga told the publication that the Speaker and his deputy took the gowns and seal after being sworn in, but only the deputy later returned hers. She also said the Speaker has been carrying the seal when signing and stamping documents, which she argued should be under the Clerk’s custody.

Deputy Mayor Howard Musa, who also leads council business, described the issue as a misunderstanding of roles rather than a serious crisis. He linked some of the disruption to funding and the lack of induction for newly elected leaders. Jawoko, for his part, said he found the gown in the mayor’s office, took it home because it was dirty, and denied holding the seal. He called for cooperation among the council’s political, executive and technical wings.

The case highlights how disputes over basic council property and responsibilities can interfere with local administration and record keeping, especially where official signatures, stamps and minutes are required.