Justice Byabakama replaces former EC boss on NIRA board
Aug 10, 2017
“The board has been less by two members to enable it to fully function. The two incoming members will enable us to function better,” said Judy Bitre-Gama, the Executive Director NIRA.
Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi who now heads the Electoral Commission (EC) in the country, has been sworn in as a member of the National Identification Registration Authority (NIRA), replacing Eng. Badru Kiggundu.
Byabakama was sworn in Wednesday at the NIRA offices in Kololo Airstrip together with Dr. Benon Mutambi, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Internal Affairs who comes in as a replacement for Col. Mbonye.
"The board has been less by two members to enable it to fully function. The two incoming members will enable us to function better," said Judy Bitre-Gama, the Executive Director NIRA.
According to Prof. Peter Kasenene, the chairperson of the board, the board was inaugurated on June 8, 2015 with nine members, two of them became indisposed and had to be replaced for the board to fully function.
(L-R) Board of members of NIRA Ben Paul Mungyereza, Judy Obitre-Gama, Dr. Benon Mutamba, Prof. Peter Kasenene, Gen. Jeje Odong, Ruth Kavuma Mvumenta, Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi, James Saka and Godrey Sasaga after the swearing in ceremony in Kampala on August 09, 2017. Photo by Abou Kisige
"The board has worked diligently to guide the authority and will continue to render the service to the authority. The appointment of the two members will enable it to perform effectively and will help us in terms of quorum, input, ideas and direction," Kasenene said.
The Minister of Internal Affairs, Jeje Odongo, who was the chief guest, implored the board members to, in all their activities, bear in mind that their task is a very delicate responsibility, which if manhandled, can lead to a catastrophe.
"In all your activities, I would like you to continuously bear in mind that all those tasks which you have, are very delicate responsibilities. They ensure that you are part of our security in this country and I cannot over emphasis the dangers, difficulties of what comes into your possession," Odongo said.
"I congratulate you justice Mugenyi and Dr. Mutambi for being identified and recognized and asked to perform this responsibility and I am glad you have accepted this responsibility," he added.
The midmorning event was attended by officials from the ministry of internal affairs and NIRA.