Wapa Out Of London Job Race

By John Kakande JAMES Wapakhabulo, the National Political Commissar, has withdrawn his candidature for the highly competitive post of Secretary General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA). The post carries a hefty pay package that includes a minimum of Pound Sterling 70,000 per annum, an overseas allowance of 15% of gross salary, health care insurance and a non-contributory pension plan. The Secretary General is the chief executive of the CPA, the parliamentary wing of the Commonwealth, which has a membership of over 15,000 parliamentarians in 164 national, state, provincial and territorial parliaments and legislatures. Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom is the CPA patron. Wapakhabulo yesterday said although he had very high chances of emerging the best candidate for the post, he withdrew from the race after consultations with his family and friends. The CPA headquarters is situated on Westminster House in London and the Secretary General's term lasts five years. "I was requested by friends from the Commonwealth to show interest (in the post). I showed I was interested and my chances were good," Wapakhabulo said but added that when he consulted his family and friends, they said it was inappropriate for him to get a job abroad after having stayed outside Uganda for about 20 years. He said he had previously worked outside the country for 16 years and had stayed in Tanzania for three years as a student. He said certain members of the CPA from outside Uganda floated his name for the post. Ends