Court asked to reinstate Kagole-Kivumbi

COURT|FRAUD|JUDICIARY

Kampala-based lawyer Paul Mukiibi has asked High Court Judge Musa Ssekaana to reinstate suspended Secretary to the Judiciary Expedito Kagole Kivumbi.

On July 26, 2019, KagoleKivumbi was sent on forced leave by Public Service head and Secretary to Cabinet John Mitala over sh34b mischarge claims. He was replaced by Pius Bigirimana.

It followed a report on the Judiciary by Auditor General John Muwanga dated June 30, 2019, indicating that the money was spent on various items without following proper procedures.

"The Employment Act and Uganda Public Service Standing Orders provide for interdiction where one may be removed from office to allow for investigations, but it does not provide for forced leave," Mukiibi says.

He says Kagole-Kivumbi's forced leave is illegal, high-handed, malicious and goes against known principles of the right to a fair hearing.

Mukiibi also dismisses Mitala's claims that he sent the Secretary to the Judiciary on forced leave on the directive of President Yoweri Museveni. The lawyer says Mitala ought to have implemented the President's directive in accordance with the law and applicable regulations.

Mukiibi also described Mitala's act of seeking advice from the Inspectorate of Government (IG) as cover up since the IG had no input when he sent KagoleKivumbi on forced leave.

In a letter dated July 2, 2020, the Inspectorate of Government distanced itself from Kagole Kivumbi's forced leave.

Former Inspector General of Government Justice Irene Mulyagonja also described the sending on forced leave of Kagole Kivumbi as alien, saying it is not one of the types of leave provided for in the Employment Act, 2006 or the Uganda Public Service Standing Orders.