I am still immigration chief - Ongodia
Oct 03, 2007
IMMIGRATION official, Nicholas Ongodia, has insisted that he is still the commissioner for citizenship and passports, despite the fact that the President recalled his appointment recently.
By Cyprian Musoke
IMMIGRATION official, Nicholas Ongodia, has insisted that he is still the commissioner for citizenship and passports, despite the fact that the President recalled his appointment recently.
Ongodia, whose appointment President Yoweri Museveni withdrew last month for “review†told MPs yesterday that he sealed his contract when he sent his acceptance letter.
“I accepted my appointment on May 2 when I signed the acceptance letter and returned it to the appointing authority. After about four months, it was recalled. As far as I am concerned, the contract had been sealed.â€
He was appearing before the public accounts committee, together with the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Steven Kagoda and acting principal accountant George Opio, to answer queries raised in the Auditor General’s report. Kagoda explained that although the President recalled the appointment, he did not cancel it.
“The appointing authority, after signing the appointment received some information which he had to reconsider. He recalled the instrument for review. He did not cancel the appointment per se.â€
The MPs wanted to know what Ongodia’s fate was following the development. They asked under which law President could recall an appointment arguing that a performance review should have been done, not a review of the appointment.
“I do not know under what law that review was done. If you are appointed and you hold office for three years, can the appointment still be recalled? For how long should the instrument be open for review?†Oduman Okello (Bukedea) asked.
Kagoda observed that the appointing authority was at liberty to review the appointment any time.
Ongodia was appointed on April 17 and he wrote an acceptance letter on May 2.
On August 27, Museveni through his Principal Private Secretary, Amelia Kyambadde, directed the Head of the Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet to recall the appointment.
The President’s letter read: “H.E. the President has directed that you recall the instrument of Nicholas Ongodia and return it to him for further consultations.â€
A holder of an MA in Public Administration, Ongodia has worked at the Immigration Directorate for the last 25 years rising through the ranks. Ongodia, who was an assistant commissioner before the appointment, is now a commissioner.
A commissioner for citizenship and passports is responsible for issuing national identity cards to persons above 18 years and identification numbers to children.
IMMIGRATION official, Nicholas Ongodia, has insisted that he is still the commissioner for citizenship and passports, despite the fact that the President recalled his appointment recently.
Ongodia, whose appointment President Yoweri Museveni withdrew last month for “review†told MPs yesterday that he sealed his contract when he sent his acceptance letter.
“I accepted my appointment on May 2 when I signed the acceptance letter and returned it to the appointing authority. After about four months, it was recalled. As far as I am concerned, the contract had been sealed.â€
He was appearing before the public accounts committee, together with the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Steven Kagoda and acting principal accountant George Opio, to answer queries raised in the Auditor General’s report. Kagoda explained that although the President recalled the appointment, he did not cancel it.
“The appointing authority, after signing the appointment received some information which he had to reconsider. He recalled the instrument for review. He did not cancel the appointment per se.â€
The MPs wanted to know what Ongodia’s fate was following the development. They asked under which law President could recall an appointment arguing that a performance review should have been done, not a review of the appointment.
“I do not know under what law that review was done. If you are appointed and you hold office for three years, can the appointment still be recalled? For how long should the instrument be open for review?†Oduman Okello (Bukedea) asked.
Kagoda observed that the appointing authority was at liberty to review the appointment any time.
Ongodia was appointed on April 17 and he wrote an acceptance letter on May 2.
On August 27, Museveni through his Principal Private Secretary, Amelia Kyambadde, directed the Head of the Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet to recall the appointment.
The President’s letter read: “H.E. the President has directed that you recall the instrument of Nicholas Ongodia and return it to him for further consultations.â€
A holder of an MA in Public Administration, Ongodia has worked at the Immigration Directorate for the last 25 years rising through the ranks. Ongodia, who was an assistant commissioner before the appointment, is now a commissioner.
A commissioner for citizenship and passports is responsible for issuing national identity cards to persons above 18 years and identification numbers to children.