Museveni halts REA executive director's sacking

President Yoweri Museveni has counselled energy minister Irene Muloni and the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) board against sacking its executive director Godfrey Turyahikayo until investigations into corruption in the agency are concluded.

In a letter to Muloni dated July 8, 2019, Museveni made reference to his phone conversation with the minister and observed, "this is to direct you and the board that the status quo of the management of Rural Electrification Agency should be maintained for one year so that I conclude the investigations into the massive corruption there."

Museveni noted that he would not accept any changes at REA until investigations are concluded.

"My quick audit has already exposed massive theft of government resources," the President stated.

In May, the REA board declined to renew Turyahikayo's contract on grounds that there had been a decline in the implementation of activities of the agency for the last four years.

Last month, the chairperson of Parliament's natural resources committee, Keefa Kiwanuka, apologised to the Speaker of Parliament after a letter he purportedly wrote to President Museveni to intervene in the matters of REA and ensure that contracts of all employees are renewed. He accused the board of worsening the already fragile situation in REA.

The Speaker accused Kiwanuka among other committee chairpersons for failing to follow decorum when it came to discussing parliamentary affairs before the President.