Kitgum Division Chairpersons petition Municipality over unremitted funds
He warned that if their petition is not honored, they will have no option but to take legal steps against Kitgum Municipality.
Kitgum: The three division chairpersons of Kitgum Municipality issued a joint petition against Kitgum Municipality over unremitted funds meant for locally raised revenue and local service tax since the 2021 fiscal year.
According to Hon. Ayoli Bob Ben Paul, the Pandwong Division Chairperson, each of the three divisions has never received a penny from the legally recognized local service tax since they assumed office in 2021, nor from the locally raised revenue.
He added that the Local Government Act stipulates that 30% of the locally raised revenue is supposed to be reimbursed to the divisions by the Municipal Council, which has not been the case.
Hon. Oyoo Morish Santo, the Pager Division Chairperson, stated that the municipality’s failure to remit these funds is hindering service delivery to the divisions.
The Central Division Chairperson, Hon. Tolit Godfrey, added that the petition aims to ensure the divisions run smoothly with all the required funding.
He warned that if their petition is not honored, they will have no option but to take legal steps against Kitgum Municipality, as their advocacy is provided for in the Local Government Act.
Kitgum Municipality Deputy Mayor, Hon. Kidega Patrick Paul explained that the local service tax fund is taken from the central treasury for civil servants, and the municipality is to process it from the central government as revenue.
He confirmed that the 30% locally raised revenue has never been reimbursed, as 50% of the revenue is always sent back to the divisions after every collection, while the remaining 50% is allocated to the 13 operational departments at the municipality, including the council for its allowances.
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