Lira City: Transition process giving setbacks to new leaders

By Christine Awor

Lira City – 4, June 2021: In April 2020, the 10^th Parliament approved a motion for seven municipalities to attain city statuses effective July 1, 2020.

With a majority of 312 votes out of 313, MPs voted for the motion for resolution of Parliament on alteration of boundaries under Article 179(1) A of the Constitution and declaration of cities under Section 7(2a) of the Local Government Act.

Few weeks ago, the new leaders in Lira City were sworn in and they assumed their various offices. Now that they have taken sometimes in office, could there be challenges they are facing and the progress so far? TND News Christine Awor delves into this.

Hon. Vincent Obong  Eyit, MP representing Lira City West Division in the 11th Parliament appealed to the general public to put politics aside and they work for everyone despite the fact that not everyone voted them in.

About progress so far, he said on 4 June 2021, the President of Uganda is meant to address the nation as per the constitutional requirement stipulated in article 101 (1) to give them a go ahead.

The State of the Nation Address also known as “the Opening of Parliament” remains one of the most important annual events in the Parliamentary calendar where the President delivers a speech focusing on the plans of the government for the next [five] years.

MP Eyit says on 10, June 2021, the national budget for the financial year 2021/2022 will be read in Parliament and this means it will be an easy way for them to know where to “mitigate from”.

He urges all the leaders in Lango sub-region to push their agendas forward to Parliament for equal development.

The Mayor Lira City, Mr. Sam Atul talked about how they have kicked off so far. He said the only challenge they have right now is the “transition of Lira from a Municipality to City”.

Mayor Atul said this will make their work to start off immediately but until the end of this month when the process is done.

Lira City Council Speaker who represents workers, Mr. Patrick Okwir said the challenge they are facing so far is the issue of office space. This he says is making him “to have no office to be in officially”.

Mr. Okwir, however, said he discussed with the City Clerk and they are seeing ways forward.

“Another big setback to us is the transitional process which still has many debates ongoing about it, to see ways of making it smooth,” he added.