The Permanent Secretary of the Gender Ministry Mr Aggressive Kibenge has directed Equal Opportunities Chairperson Sylvia Nabatanzi Muwebwa and other commisioners whose contracts expired to hand over office immediately.
The other commission members are; Mr Joel Cox Ojuko, Mr Patrobas Sirabo Wafula, Ms Zaminah Malole and Mr Dennis Nduhura.
Nabatanzi and two other commisisoners were eligible for reappointment for another five year term, but President Museveni has been mute on her re-appointment after her contract expired in January.
She battled charges of corruption and abuse of office and her file was sanctioned by the Director of Public Prosecutions to face trial late last year.
In a recent deed poll, Nabatanzi changed her name from Sylvia Ntambi Muwebwa to Sylvia Nabatanzi Muwebwa.
Kibenge says the commissioners were supposed to hand over office on February 5 but the ceremony was postponed.
However, in a February 19 letter to the Under Secretary in the Gender ministry, the officials, with the exception of Ojuko should hand over handover immediately. Ojuko had complained that his contract runs out in July 2021 and not January 2021 as the other officers. The PS said Mr Ojuko can meanwhile remain in office as they look into his matter.
“All Members of the Commission, with the exception of Mr. Ojuko. should be contacted to immediately hand over to you the offices, official documentation and assets in their possession as we await responses from the authorities quoted above,” Mr Kabenge said.
“For clarity, Mr. Ojuko’s hand over should be deferred until the Solicitor General responds to our request for his opinion, although our considered view is that he cannot unilaterally constitute and exercise any of the powers of the Commission. Hopefully, the issue of either appointment of new Members or the Solicitor General’s opinion on this matter will be resolved as soon as possible,” he wrote.
“In the same vein Ms. Jane N. Ekapu, hitherto caretaking the Office of Secretary to the Commission, should also hand over to you. You will execute responsibilities of this Office until a new Commission is in place or advised otherwise.”
“You may wish to temporarily re-assign some responsibilities to staff you have in post to facilitate smooth flow of business. Please do not hesitate to consult with myself, and/or with the Hon. Minister through my Office, on any matter that will help the uninterrupted running of the Commission’s business during this interim period,” he added.
The letter is copied to the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, All Ministers of State, MGLSD, the outgoing EOC Chairperson and Members, the Principal Private Secretary to the President, and the Solicitor General, among others.