Probe into UWA project falls apart
THE Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) commission of inquiry has fallen apart following disagreements between the chairperson and two of the commissioners over its recommendations.
By Darious Magara
THE Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) commission of inquiry has fallen apart following disagreements between the chairperson and two of the commissioners over its recommendations.
The parties are divided over the recommendation to interdict the UWA acting executive director, Dr. Andrew Seguya.
The commission chairperson, retired Judge George Kanyeihamba and commissioner Col. Steven Kwiringira told journalists last week that the commission had recommended to the tourism minister that Seguya be interdicted.
Commissioners Fred Bukenya Nsamba and Kenneth Magembe and the commission’s lead counsel, Denis Bireije, have, however, also written to the tourism minister disassociating themselves from the earlier letter that other commissioners wrote.
In their letter dated September 23, Nsamba, Magembe and Bireije said: “It has come to our attention that the Protected Areas Management and Sustainable Use commission of inquiry has recommended that you suspend Dr. Seguya from the office and recommended for the reinstatement of John Makombo, Grace Kyomuhendo, Juliet Anguria, Vanice Mirembe to their offices.â€
“We wish to disassociate ourselves from the decision that was made by Kanyeihamba and Kwiringiria,†the letter reads.
They explained that the commission’s term of office expired on August 31 and had not been renewed despite their appeal to the President and tourism minister to extend the period because of unfinished work.
“Therefore, as of now the commission does not have any mandate to make decisions such as this one,†the letter adds.
The commissioners also said the commission’s terms of reference do not include probing UWA as an institution using PAMSU funds.
Kanyeihamba responded by writing to the justice minister, Kahinda Otafiire, raising concern over Bireije’s conduct. The letter, dated September 23, was also signed by Kwiringira.
“Some of the reasons on which the commission acted were unknown to the three gentlemen because they had deliberately kept away from the commission’s meeting, which decided to recommend the interdiction of Seguya,†Kanyeihamba’s letter reads.
THE Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) commission of inquiry has fallen apart following disagreements between the chairperson and two of the commissioners over its recommendations.
The parties are divided over the recommendation to interdict the UWA acting executive director, Dr. Andrew Seguya.
The commission chairperson, retired Judge George Kanyeihamba and commissioner Col. Steven Kwiringira told journalists last week that the commission had recommended to the tourism minister that Seguya be interdicted.
Commissioners Fred Bukenya Nsamba and Kenneth Magembe and the commission’s lead counsel, Denis Bireije, have, however, also written to the tourism minister disassociating themselves from the earlier letter that other commissioners wrote.
In their letter dated September 23, Nsamba, Magembe and Bireije said: “It has come to our attention that the Protected Areas Management and Sustainable Use commission of inquiry has recommended that you suspend Dr. Seguya from the office and recommended for the reinstatement of John Makombo, Grace Kyomuhendo, Juliet Anguria, Vanice Mirembe to their offices.â€
“We wish to disassociate ourselves from the decision that was made by Kanyeihamba and Kwiringiria,†the letter reads.
They explained that the commission’s term of office expired on August 31 and had not been renewed despite their appeal to the President and tourism minister to extend the period because of unfinished work.
“Therefore, as of now the commission does not have any mandate to make decisions such as this one,†the letter adds.
The commissioners also said the commission’s terms of reference do not include probing UWA as an institution using PAMSU funds.
Kanyeihamba responded by writing to the justice minister, Kahinda Otafiire, raising concern over Bireije’s conduct. The letter, dated September 23, was also signed by Kwiringira.
“Some of the reasons on which the commission acted were unknown to the three gentlemen because they had deliberately kept away from the commission’s meeting, which decided to recommend the interdiction of Seguya,†Kanyeihamba’s letter reads.