Minister Terminates Nkutu Contract

THE New Vision Corporation Secretary Conrad Nkutu's contract has been terminated, writes Vision Reporter. The Minister of Information in the President's Office, Basoga Nsadhu accused Nkutu of misusing his office. He named Legal Officer Robert Kabushenga acting Corporation Secretary. Nkutu yesterday handed in a letter of farewell to the corporation board. Basoga in the letter dated April 23, and copied to the board members said, "Reference is made to the letter of warning to you by the Managing Director dated February 27, about misuse of your office and corporation resources. I hereby terminate the employment contract for reasons of gross malpractice on your part." The reference was to an internal memo following reports in the local press that Nkutu had used a sheet of company stationary and e-mail facilities to campaign for candidate Kizza Besigye during the presidential election campaign. The board, meeting under its chairman Ateker Ejalu, met Nkutu over the matter and noted that his conduct had been in conflict with his position. Nkutu, nevertheless, told the board that his dismissal was unfair. "I wish to state that I have committed no malpractice during my four-year senior management tenure. The letter terminating my employment came without notice and I was not given an opportunity to defend myself," he said. He said he assisted the company to turn around its business through cost- cutting, computerisation, redesign of newspapers, introduction of colour printing and the launch of a seventh title, adding that the company's annual net profit grew from sh45m in 1997, when he was recruited, to sh1.3b last financial year. The board reiterated the company's stand of not using official facilities for private work. Ends