Raphael Baku is named acting IGG
Apr 23, 2009
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has appointed the deputy Inspector General of Government, Raphael Baku, as acting IGG, raising questions about the fate of Justice Faith Mwondha. The IG is key in the fight against corruption.
By vision reporter
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has appointed the deputy Inspector General of Government, Raphael Baku, as acting IGG, raising questions about the fate of Justice Faith Mwondha.
“The President has provided guidance to the nation on the running of the Inspectorate of Government,†a brief statement by information minister Kabakumba Masiko said last night.
“He is in the process of coming up with pertinent measures to enhance the fight against corruption.
The IG is key in the fight against corruption. In the meantime, the President has reappointed Raphael Baku as Deputy Inspector General of Government who will now take charge of the IG until a substantive IGG and a second deputy are appointed.â€
Justice Mwondha caused controversy when she refused to go to Parliament for vetting. She
argued that Parliament cleared her for the job when she was first appointed in 2005 and there was no need to repeat the exercise.
In addition, the IGG, who investigated the GAVI Fund which led to the prosecution of the three former health ministers, doubted whether she would be fairly assessed because some of the MPs had been investigated by her office for corruption.
But the Attorney General, Prof. Kiddhu Makubuya, had advised that Mwondha could not be reappointed unless she subjected herself to the parliamentary vetting. His view was shared by the Speaker, Edward Ssekandi, and his deputy, Rebecca Kadaga, who chair the appointments committee.
Before the re-appointment saga, Mwondha had refused to appear before the legal affairs committee to discuss issues relating to her office’s budget and activities. As a result, the MPs threatened to block her budget.
The Constitution, while guaranteeing the autonomy of the inspectorate, obliges the IGG to present her reports to Parliament.
Museveni’s statement comes after a meeting yesterday at State House Nakasero with NRM MPs on the appointments committee in which he reportedly blasted the legislators for giving him an ‘ultimatum’ over the appointment of the IGG.
During the meeting, described as tense by sources present, Museveni was quoted as saying that he knew his job and was determined to fight corruption. He particularly attacked Kibanda MP Sam Owor Otada, and Lwemiyaga MP Theodore Ssekikubo.
During the sitting of Parliament on Tuesday, Otada, Ssekikubo and other MPs wanted the Government to brief them on what had been decided on the re-appointment of Mwondha.
Some MPs asked for the President to be called to Parliament to give an explanation. They specifically wanted to know if he had renewed Mwondha’s contract despite her refusal to be vetted by Parliament.
Responding to reports that Mwondha and her deputy were on leave, some MPs also wondered how they could take leave when their contracts had expired in February.
After a brief discussion, the deputy Speaker, Rebecca Kadaga, told the MPs to “hold the fire†for one week to allow the Government come up with an explanation.
According to sources, Otada tried to explain to the President that the issue of the IGG was brought up in Parliament in good faith and in the interest of the public.
Related story under NATIONAL category
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has appointed the deputy Inspector General of Government, Raphael Baku, as acting IGG, raising questions about the fate of Justice Faith Mwondha.
“The President has provided guidance to the nation on the running of the Inspectorate of Government,†a brief statement by information minister Kabakumba Masiko said last night.
“He is in the process of coming up with pertinent measures to enhance the fight against corruption.
The IG is key in the fight against corruption. In the meantime, the President has reappointed Raphael Baku as Deputy Inspector General of Government who will now take charge of the IG until a substantive IGG and a second deputy are appointed.â€
Justice Mwondha caused controversy when she refused to go to Parliament for vetting. She
argued that Parliament cleared her for the job when she was first appointed in 2005 and there was no need to repeat the exercise.
In addition, the IGG, who investigated the GAVI Fund which led to the prosecution of the three former health ministers, doubted whether she would be fairly assessed because some of the MPs had been investigated by her office for corruption.
But the Attorney General, Prof. Kiddhu Makubuya, had advised that Mwondha could not be reappointed unless she subjected herself to the parliamentary vetting. His view was shared by the Speaker, Edward Ssekandi, and his deputy, Rebecca Kadaga, who chair the appointments committee.
Before the re-appointment saga, Mwondha had refused to appear before the legal affairs committee to discuss issues relating to her office’s budget and activities. As a result, the MPs threatened to block her budget.
The Constitution, while guaranteeing the autonomy of the inspectorate, obliges the IGG to present her reports to Parliament.
Museveni’s statement comes after a meeting yesterday at State House Nakasero with NRM MPs on the appointments committee in which he reportedly blasted the legislators for giving him an ‘ultimatum’ over the appointment of the IGG.
During the meeting, described as tense by sources present, Museveni was quoted as saying that he knew his job and was determined to fight corruption. He particularly attacked Kibanda MP Sam Owor Otada, and Lwemiyaga MP Theodore Ssekikubo.
During the sitting of Parliament on Tuesday, Otada, Ssekikubo and other MPs wanted the Government to brief them on what had been decided on the re-appointment of Mwondha.
Some MPs asked for the President to be called to Parliament to give an explanation. They specifically wanted to know if he had renewed Mwondha’s contract despite her refusal to be vetted by Parliament.
Responding to reports that Mwondha and her deputy were on leave, some MPs also wondered how they could take leave when their contracts had expired in February.
After a brief discussion, the deputy Speaker, Rebecca Kadaga, told the MPs to “hold the fire†for one week to allow the Government come up with an explanation.
According to sources, Otada tried to explain to the President that the issue of the IGG was brought up in Parliament in good faith and in the interest of the public.
Related story under NATIONAL category