Rwakoojo Grilled On How He Got Job

THE parliamentary elections probe committee yesterday grilled the Electoral Commission (EC) secretary, Sam Rwakoojo, over circumstances under which he got his job last December, reports Hamis Kaheru.The committee’s interest in the matter was prompted by information that the Public Service Commission (PSC) had expressed reservations about his suitability because he lacked experience in public administration. The MPs also cited reports that he had links with Lithotec, the South African company that won the tender to print ballot papers.Anang Odur Lakana (Kwania) asked the former MP for Rwemiyaga how he knew there was a vacancy in the EC. “It’s up to everybody to look for openings and fill them. I was on the streets for six months (after losing elections) and it is not comfortable,” Rwakoojo answered.“Was this job advertised?” Odur asked. “This was an open secret. Everybody knew the election commission did not have a secretary after the former secretary was interdicted,” Rwakoojo answered.“Is it common practice that such jobs are given without being advertised?” Odur asked. “I am not the appointing authority, so I can’t answer. But I have also seen positions of permanent secretaries being filled and they are not advertised,” he said.The EC is empowered to appoint the secretary in consultation with the PSC. Permanent secretaries are political appointees.When asked how many sat the interviews, Rwakoojo said he did not care to know. “I went as Sam Rwakoojo and what I cared for was for Sam Rwakoojo to get the job. By the way, that job had been given to someone but he turned it down.Surely, it can’t be the best job in the country,” Rwakoojo retorted.Ends