Two prominent figures in Masaka City Council have been detained by police following accusations of forging council documents related to the city budget approval process. Ms. Alice Nannungi and Mr. Tonny Ssempijja, representing Nyendo Mukungwe Division and Kimaanya Kabonera respectively, held pivotal positions within the council.
Allegations have surfaced suggesting that the councillors, alongside former clerk to council Steven Luwaga, tampered with council documents during Ssempijja’s tenure as the council speaker and Nannungi’s chairing of the building and planning committee.
Proposed alterations included changes to the tenure of council committees, leading to Nannungi’s removal from her role as chairperson of the Masaka City Building and Planning Committee.
Tensions escalated during a meeting overseen by Local Government minister Raphael Magyezi, where 15 councillors voted unanimously to withdraw confidence in former speaker Ssempijja.
Nannungi promptly contested the legality of the meeting, citing procedural irregularities. However, the situation took a dramatic turn when police raided the city headquarters and apprehended the two councillors on charges of document forgery.
Police spokesperson Twaha Kasirye confirmed the arrests, emphasizing the forgery of council documents. The search for former clerk Steven Luwagga continues.
Despite vehemently denying the allegations, the arrested councillors attributed them to political motives aimed at undermining their leadership.
In a court appearance before Grade One Magistrate Daniel Bwambale Busathiro, the councillors faced charges including forgery of council documents, concealing council proposals, trafficking in council documents, and counterfeiting. Despite their denial, the magistrate granted bail to Nannungi and Ssempijja at shs. 200,000 each, with sureties required to provide non-cash assets totaling Shs10 million.
The councillors are slated to appear in court on May 10 for further proceedings in the case.
