Principal science officer Geoffrey Mugabe, who used to work with the defunct Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation,  has appealed to Parliament's committee on science and technology and innovation for a better job.

As part of government restructuring President Yoweri Museveni abolished the ministry  in 2021.

During a session at Parliament on Thursday, Mugabe wanted the position of principal labour officer, but government officials say he doesn't have the qualifications.

This discovery happened as legislators on the committee interrogated 12 government employees on whether they were fully absorbed after losing their jobs

"He was advised to take up the position of senior settlement commander in OPM," Atuheire Herbert, the principal human resource officer in the Office of the President, said.

Florence Akiiki Asiimwe Woman MP Masindi

"He seems not to be interested," Atuheire added.

Committee chairperson Florence Asiimwe (Masindi Woman), who referred to Mugabe as a senior individual, said she had received an appeal from him.

"That his transfer has been frustrated based on wrong assessment, as principal labour officer and not as principal labour officer externalisation," Asiimwe said, adding that Mugabe revealed that the job was still available and wondered why he has not been considered as principal labour officer.

Lack of required papers
According to Asiimwe, Mugabe intends to sue the Ministry of Public Service and its permanent secretary,

In response, Dr John Mbabazi, the permanent secretary of the Public Service Commission, said he lacked the required qualifications and job requirements.

"As agencies, it's high time we learnt who is supposed to do what because it's only public service which gives job descriptions while the Nation Council for Higher Education (NCHE) should be saying the degree is recognised not saying it's relevant to the job," Mbabazi said.

Yunus Kakande, the permanent secretary, Office of the President, revealed how they had made efforts to help Mugabe in vain.

"During our interactions with Mugabe, we had secured him a position of senior settlement officer in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) and we asked him to go to OPM such that they could submit his papers to public service which was created with late Muhakanizi for him," Kakande said and accused Mugabe of meandering away instead of taking the job he was given.

Exit if you don't want relocation

Head of Public Service Lucy Nakyobe interjected saying the ministry was doing everything out of apathy.

"They were supposed to have been exited from the service on the abolition of office. So, if people come with their ego and do not want to fit in the positions we have identified, the best is to exit this person and he looks for other jobs outside the service and he should not waste our time," Nakyobe said.

Persons with Disabilities MP Alex Ndeezi asked the committee not to accept particular individuals who petition the committee not to blackmail legislators into believing they are being witch-hunted.

Assimwe then elaborated how Mugabe's petition included the IGG and NCHE saying that his qualifications fit the jobs he desires.

The assumption was that he wanted a Kampala post, but Nakyobe said appointment letters say that one should be ready to work in any part of the country."So he cannot be an exception," Nakyobe insisted.
Regarding the arrears, Nakyobe said he will access his arrears as part of the exit package.

"He will be paid, but by State House since he has not taken the appointment where he would have also gotten his arrears paid," Nakyobe said.Lukwago then advised that the Public service write an introductory letter to OPM instead of word of mouth.

"So we owe him a duty to help him," Lukwago said.

Asiimwe appeared to agree that it should be done since Mugabe is a senior individual.
According to Kakande, Mugabe knows all the procedures of government and has been to the office of the President's office several times.

"Maybe he does not want that job, he either exits or takes this job at OPM,"Kakande said.

Asiimwe urged public service to counsel Mugabe and also promised to call him.

"But having a position and your pension is better than exiting, his worry could have been being taken to far away refugee centres when he has a family in Kampala " Asiimwe added.