IGG Mwondha’s four-year contract expires this month

Feb 02, 2009

THE four-year term for the Inspector General of Government, Justice Faith Mwondha and her deputy, Raphael Baku, expires on February 22.

By Charles Ariko

THE four-year term for the Inspector General of Government, Justice Faith Mwondha and her deputy, Raphael Baku, expires on February 22.

However, they are eligible for another four years in office if re-appointed by President Yoweri Museveni.

Baku yesterday said he had not received a letter re-appointing him, but said they were still serving the remaining period of their first term in office.

“Do you want us out of office? We are still serving within the contract period,” said Baku.

Museveni appointed Mwondha and Baku in February 2005.

Mwondha and Baku replaced Jotham Tumwesigye and David Psomgen who served for two terms.

The Constitution stipulates that the IGG and the deputy IGG hold office for four years but are eligible for re-appointment once.

Prior to their appointment, Mwondha served as the resident High Court judge in Mbale while Baku served as the deputy director of legal affairs at the then Movement Secretariat.

In the four years that Mwondha and Baku have served, the office of the IGG has handled some high profile cases, some of which are still pending in various courts.

Among the cases was that involving former health minister Maj. Gen. Jim Muhwezi and his two deputies, Capt. Mike Mukula and Dr. Alex Kamugisha.

The three were investigated by the IGG in connection with the misappropriation of sh1.6b that the Government received from the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation.

The money was meant for the immunisation of children.

The case against Muhwezi and his former deputies is pending in court after the trio petitioned the Constitutional Court over the trial.

Another high profile case handled by the IGG involved the removal of former Rubaga South MP John Ken Lukyamuzi from Parliament in 2005.

Lukyamuzi failed to declare his wealth in accordance with the Leadership Code.

The IGG also investigated and prosecuted the former National Social Security Fund bosses Leonard Mpuuma and Onegi Obel.

The IGG has also not spared local governments in the fight against corruption. More recently, the IGG has been locked in a wrangle with local government minister Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire over the sale of Naguru and Nakawa housing estates.

Last week, the IGG’s office arrested Tingey MP Herbert Sabila over trying to bribe one of their officials.

In addition to investigating and prosecuting corrupt Government officials, the IGG has been carrying out annual National Integrity Surveys relating to corruption in Government and public offices.

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