Mbarara District local government leaders were in a bitter exchange of words with the Members of Parliament (MPs) accusing them of failing to lobby for better service delivery in the district.
Local leaders and three MPs of Mbarara District gathered at Bagyenyi Gardens in Bwizibwera town council for a dialogue organised by Endigyito radio and partners aimed at forging the best way forward for the development of the district.
Venansi Kiiza Munanukye, the Speaker of Mbarara District Council said as Mbarara district, they have a challenge, every year and every quarter, the budget for road funds is reduced.
He said in the last third quarter, they were supposed to get more than Shs140m but they received less by Shs20m and in the fourth quarter they were supposed to get Shs140m but received Shs70m.
He said the MPs should be helping out the local government to ensure that their problems are tabled in Parliament for better service delivery.
He said MPs are fond of blaming the local leaders for delaying to implement government programs, forgetting that they receive less money.
Munanukye’s statements irked MPs accusing him of being biased and inciting locals against them.
The Kashari North MP, Basil Bataringaya, said Munanukye should know the role of an MP before attacking them in public.
Bataringaya said it was inappropriate for the district councilor to ridicule MPs and called for all district leaders to coordinate with their MPs for the development of the district.
The district Woman MP, Ms Margret Rwebyambu, said the local leaders should stop the blame game and play their role as well.
Kashari South MP, Nathan Itungo, said that what is letting them down is the district technocrats as the little funds available are not properly utilised.
