Apac, Uganda: The Apac District Council has barred the Deputy Resident District Commissioner, Richard Tabaro, from attending all council sittings with immediate effect, accusing him of verbally abusing elected councillors and undermining the authority of the council.
The decision was reached during a tense council sitting presided over by the District Speaker, Peter Obong Acuda, who ruled that the alleged remarks attributed to the Deputy RDC amounted to gross misconduct and disrespect of a constitutional body.
“This council cannot sit and allow itself to be insulted by anyone, regardless of office,” Obong ruled.
“Honourable members are elected leaders of the people. If the Deputy RDC wishes to return to this council, he must first submit a written apology. Until then, he will not attend any council meeting, either by obligation or delegated authority.”
Councillors accused Tabaro of referring to them as “bogus”, “corrupt” and a “council of thieves”, remarks they said humiliated them and damaged their standing before the public.
Councillors Condemn Remarks
The district councillor representing workers, Geoffrey Okaka, said the alleged statements were dangerous to democratic governance and could erode public trust in local leadership.
“When a senior government official publicly calls elected leaders thieves, it creates hatred between leaders and the community,” Okaka said.
“We represent workers across the district. Such language damages our legitimacy and undermines confidence in local government.”
He stressed that accountability mechanisms already exist and should be used instead of public insults. “If there are allegations of corruption, there are institutions mandated to handle them. Name-calling cannot replace the rule of law,” he added.
Magret Ewany, the female councillor representing older persons, said the remarks were particularly painful for special interest group leaders.
“As leaders of special interest groups, we struggle every day to earn respect,” Ewany told the council.
“Being labelled a ‘council of thieves’ disrespects not only us but also the elderly people who entrusted us with leadership.”
She warned that continued hostility between appointed officials and elected leaders could paralyse service delivery in the district.
Apology Demanded
The council resolved that Tabaro will remain barred from all council proceedings until he submits a formal written apology retracting the alleged remarks.
By press time, the Deputy RDC had not publicly responded to the council’s decision.
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