URA to release list of employees today
THE parliamentary committee on commissions and statutory authorities has asked the Uganda Revenue Authority to release a list of its employees today. This followed allegations that the tax body recruits most of it staff from the western region.
By Barbara Among
and Paul Kiwuuwa
THE parliamentary committee on commissions and statutory authorities has asked the Uganda Revenue Authority to release a list of its employees today. This followed allegations that the tax body recruits most of it staff from the western region.
‘Unless the list is presented before the MPs, the allegations stand,†committee chairperson John Odit (UPC) said yesterday.
“The staff list, indicating genders and district of origin and academic qualifications must be produced today,†Odit said.
“We demand that the board clears its name. Other ministries should also publish the lists of their employees to clear the allegations,†said James Kakooza (NRM), a member of the committee.
The board members were appearing before the committee to answer queries raised by the Auditor General’s report of 1998 to 2006.
The members, led by their chairman, Ibrahim Kironde Kabanda, asked the MPs to allow them present the list before the committee and not in the media as the legislators had wanted.
“We shall bring the list of employees but we request that it is not published in the press,†Kabanda said. This request was later granted.
Kabanda denied the allegation, saying the body recruits members based on merit and performance. According to Kabanda, URA employees 1,805 people.
Other board members present were Ivan Kyayonka, Musisi Kiwanuka, Jennifer Musisi Semakula and Mike Chibita.
URA commissioner general Allen Kagina promised to produce the list before Parliament today. However, she said URA gave the committee the list last year.
The MPs insisted on an updated list.
Tempers flared when Kabanda said URA’s employment policy provided for ‘succession planning’.
“URA is creating its own empire, can you tell us the criteria and how this system was introduced,†asked Odit.
Kyayonka said ‘succession planning’ was a system intended to help the URA commissioner mentor and train a successor.
The committee asked the board to explain why two of its members do not attend the board meetings yet they earn sitting allowances. They also demanded to know how much money each board member earns per sitting.
Chris Kassami, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Finance and that of tourism, trade and industry Sam Nahamya do not attend board meetings.
“How are they able to make decisions when they are permanently absent,†asked Elijah Ekupa (FDC).
Kabanda tried to defend the two, saying they were busy on Government duties, prompting the legislators to ask how they were employed as board members.
“The Auditor General reported several times that they do not attend meetings. This means they do not take your board seriously,†Odit added.
Kagina promised to give the committee their employment letters today.
and Paul Kiwuuwa
THE parliamentary committee on commissions and statutory authorities has asked the Uganda Revenue Authority to release a list of its employees today. This followed allegations that the tax body recruits most of it staff from the western region.
‘Unless the list is presented before the MPs, the allegations stand,†committee chairperson John Odit (UPC) said yesterday.
“The staff list, indicating genders and district of origin and academic qualifications must be produced today,†Odit said.
“We demand that the board clears its name. Other ministries should also publish the lists of their employees to clear the allegations,†said James Kakooza (NRM), a member of the committee.
The board members were appearing before the committee to answer queries raised by the Auditor General’s report of 1998 to 2006.
The members, led by their chairman, Ibrahim Kironde Kabanda, asked the MPs to allow them present the list before the committee and not in the media as the legislators had wanted.
“We shall bring the list of employees but we request that it is not published in the press,†Kabanda said. This request was later granted.
Kabanda denied the allegation, saying the body recruits members based on merit and performance. According to Kabanda, URA employees 1,805 people.
Other board members present were Ivan Kyayonka, Musisi Kiwanuka, Jennifer Musisi Semakula and Mike Chibita.
URA commissioner general Allen Kagina promised to produce the list before Parliament today. However, she said URA gave the committee the list last year.
The MPs insisted on an updated list.
Tempers flared when Kabanda said URA’s employment policy provided for ‘succession planning’.
“URA is creating its own empire, can you tell us the criteria and how this system was introduced,†asked Odit.
Kyayonka said ‘succession planning’ was a system intended to help the URA commissioner mentor and train a successor.
The committee asked the board to explain why two of its members do not attend the board meetings yet they earn sitting allowances. They also demanded to know how much money each board member earns per sitting.
Chris Kassami, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Finance and that of tourism, trade and industry Sam Nahamya do not attend board meetings.
“How are they able to make decisions when they are permanently absent,†asked Elijah Ekupa (FDC).
Kabanda tried to defend the two, saying they were busy on Government duties, prompting the legislators to ask how they were employed as board members.
“The Auditor General reported several times that they do not attend meetings. This means they do not take your board seriously,†Odit added.
Kagina promised to give the committee their employment letters today.