IGG wants PS warned over abuse of office

By Yunusu Abbey THE Inspector General of Government (IGG), Jotham Tumwesigye, has recommended that David Obong, the agriculture ministry’s Permanent Secretary (PS) should be warned for misusing his office.Tumwesigye said Obong should also be stopped from chairing a committee that recruits new staff under the Plan for Modernisation of Agriculture(PMA) programme.The Abidjan-based African Development Bank(ADB) funds the project.Tumwesigye said, “Obong favoured Beatrice Okello for appointment to the post of National Project Co-ordinator, North West Small Holder Agricultural Development Project.” This was contained in a five-page letter attached on the IGG’s 150-page probe report on allegations of nepotism/favouritism and financial mismanagement against Obong in his capacity as the PS in the ministry of agriculture, animal industries and fisheries. The letter was copied to the agriculture minister, Dr. Kisamba Mugerwa, the ethics and integrity state minister, Miria Matembe and Prof. John Muzaale, the Public Service Commission chairman.Obong’s three-year contract expired late last year. But the Public Service Commission could not renew it because of the IGG’s probe.In a March 15 letter to Florence Mugasha, the Head of Civil Service and Secretary to Cabinet, the IGG said, “Obong lied that Okello had been appointed as National Project Co-ordinator in 1999 whereas not.”He added, “ Obong and Mr. Mark Otim(an agriculture ministry official) are advised to step aside from the PMA recruiting committee. The committee should be composed of non-local representative of the steering committee to remove doubts in recruitment.”The IGG also unearthed anomalies in cash advances paid out to the ministry’s transport officer, Mr. Charles Okurajja, to repair the ministry’s vehicles.