UGANDA
The Chair of Uganda’s Public Service Commission, Justice Ralph Ochan has hit out at Ministerial interference in the recruitment of senior Public Servants.
He said the public expected that suitable candidates would be selected for posts on merit “but at the same time the Minister in charge of a Department has the power to appoint who they like — and [they] frequently do”.
Justice Ochan was speaking at the swearing-in of Winnie Agnes Kabogoza-Musoke as a member of the Public Service Commission for a second four-year term.
He said that at the end of a properly conducted recruitment process, some Ministers simply appointed their own people, often without regard to competence.
“We are going to be in touch with the Minister of Public Service so that a proper policy can be created because there are two conflicting legislations which should be harmonised,” Justice Ochan said.
“We usually come up with our candidates and the Minister goes ahead and ignores them.”
His comments come after reports that the appointment of Lilly Ajarova (pictured) as the Chief Executive of the Uganda Tourism Board was irregular.
Ms Ajarova was previously Executive Director of the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary.
Chief Justice Bart Katureebe, who presided over the swearing-in ceremony, also hit out at Ministers who criticised the entire judiciary for mistakes committed by a single magistrate.
Hundreds of families were violently evicted in Wakiso District following a court order by the Chief Magistrate’s Court at Nabweru; however, the High Court later nullified the eviction, ruling the court had no authority to order it.
Kampala, 26 January 2018
