The Gulu guild drama continues to take a fresh stage as the former, Glory to Glory government under leadership of Pastor Joseph Okidi, has vowed never to hand over power to the new revamped Government. For about three months now, since elections, these two governments have been colliding over who is in power or not and students are perplexed over who is actually in power.
“They took keys to the Guild office. We have no access to the stamps and other office equipments required to do most of activities. The ministers haven’t accessed their files so as to get acquainted with works in their respective ministries”, the Guild President (elect), H. E Mbaziira Daniel, said. He adds that some of the university staff have turned them down during execution of their duties, claiming that they haven’t taken up their offices officially.
This standoff is due to failure of the university to pay allowances and other outstanding obligations, of the former guild officials, which sum up to around 32 million shillings. The former Prime Minister Ssentongo Saddick says that they will not handover until their allowances are paid to zero balance. “Yes we are the ones in power because we haven’t handed over but they (elected officials), are free to work”, said Ssentongo Saddick. “We need transparency plus proper transfer of power and not burden the incoming as we have debts, of guild, to clear, too. I have to fight for my guild officials so they get paid because this may become a habit, not to pay guild officials”, he added.
“Amidst challenges, procurement of a 30-seater guild-Van was accepted and awaiting approval from solicitor general. Work on renovation of compound pathways will commence soon and money for Recess, school practice, internship is being released.” Said Mr. Mbaziira Daniel, adding that with advocacy and more engagements, Gulu University will be revamped by the end of their tenure in office.
Reliable sources told us that the university hasn’t received the 4thquarter release of money sent to central bank as per integrated financial management system (IFMS). The financial year is soon ending and no spending beyond 25th June, so we wait to see if there will, actually, be any handover of power or Gulu University will be having two guild governments in power.
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