The Gulu City Mayor, Julius Acire Labeja, has warned the new city council against corruption, urging them to uphold integrity, transparency, and accountability as they begin their five-year term in office.
Labeja, who won the January mayoral elections on the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) ticket, officially assumed office yesterday at Gulu City Council headquarters.
He succeeded Alfred Okwonga, who served one term. He was sworn in by the Gulu Chief Magistrate, Augustine Alule Koma.
Speaking after the swearing-in ceremony of council executives and committee chairpersons, Labeja told councillors that his administration would not tolerate corruption or under-the-table dealings.
The mayor reminds leaders that their positions are not privileges but responsibilities entrusted to them by the people of Gulu City.
Labeja warns councilors against using public office for personal enrichment, saying leaders who seek wealth through public resources would ultimately fail.
Labeja also emphasizes the need for unity among councillors regardless of political affiliation, warning against division and partisan politics within the council.
During the first council session held to kick-start the 12-member council, Labeja also nominated his four-man executives.
They include Deputy Geoffrey Ali. Meanwhile, Christine Olok assumed the role of Secretary for Administration and Finance, Suzan Acan, who was nominated as Secretary for social community-based services, and Patrick Ojok as Secretary for social works, production, and technical services.
At the same event, a new speaker for the city council, Lamex Lambert Akena, was elected unopposed. He will be deputised by Venesa Anyango, who also went unopposed. The new speaker pledged to steer the city council with integrity and impartiality.
By URN
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