Lukwago issues new era notice, demands pay

Mr Lukwago (L) said he will deliver a speech detailing the programmes he has prepared to transform Kampala after taking oath.

Kampala.

Lord Mayor-elect Erias Lukwago has vowed to start work immediately after taking oath.
He has also demanded that his Shs320m salary arrears be remitted to his bank account on the same day.

Mr Lukwago, who addressed the media at his law firm offices in Kampala, expressed displeasure with the new June 1 swearing-in date set by Kampala Capital City Authority without first consulting him.

“...On that day, I will take oath at 2pm. On the same day at 9am is when Dr Kizza Besigye will appear in court. I am part of the Dr Besigye’s team and I have to be in court,” he said.

The swearing-in ceremony of the Lord Mayor-elect and the councillors was to take place last Friday, May 20, but was postponed. KCCA officials claimed it was because some elected leaders in the city were not gazatted.

After taking oath, Mr Lukwago said he will deliver a speech detailing the programmes he has prepared to transform Kampala. “I have prepared a work plan and programme of action anchored on the manifesto that was embraced by the people of Kampala who elected me,” he said.

On his salary arrears, Mr Lukwago said the person in charge of accounts should start preparing his money from November 2013 when he was illegally impeached. He said the actual amount is yet to be computed but his net pay per month stands at Shs11m after taxes have been deducted and his gross pay at Shs16m.
“It’s my right. Parliament in the budget allocated a sum of Shs500m for my salary but it has never been remitted to my account,” he added.

Makindye West MP Allan Ssewanyana, who is heading the organising committee for the Lord Mayor’s swearing-in fete, says they will start with a procession from Mr Lukwago’s home leading to City Hall.

Mr Ssewanyana said he is expected to oversee the opening of the Lord Mayor’s office today at City Hall to enable its cleaning and inventory. He also asked the police not to interfere with the swearing-in ceremony.

The race

Mr Lukwago, who stood as an Independent, was elected Lord Mayor on February 24 after polling 217,879 votes. He defeated NRM’s Daniel Kazibwe aka Raga Dee and DP’s Issa Kikungwe who got 61,774 and 9,785, respectively.