Health ministry probes official over conduct
Dr Asuman Lukwago, health ministry permanent secretary said they cannot take action before establishing the truth
What you need to know:
- The accused officer told Sunday Monitor his involvement with MM Construction ceased in August 2010 when he signed off his shares and interest to one Peter Mazzi and Jude Kasawuli.
- Dr Lukwago said they are investigating the accused official.
KAMPALA. The Ministry of Health yesterday said it is looking into claims that one of its senior officers is suspected of conflict of interest and violation of Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets (PPDA) regulations.
Under secretary Ronald Ssegawa Gyagenda, the officer in charge of finance and administration, however, believes he is the victim of malice.
“Since serious accusations have been raised against him, he has to be evaluated before appropriate action is taken,” the ministry permanent secretary, Dr Asuman Lukwago, told Sunday Monitor on phone on Friday.
Sunday Monitor understands that a whistle-blower, in a letter dated September 7, petitioned the ministry PS, copying the letter to the IGG, the Auditor General and the PPDA, claiming that Mr Ssegawa is not fit to perform the duties of an accounting officer.
The whistle-blower claimed Mr Ssegawa is partner in MM Construction, a company that was blacklisted by the PPDA for three years effective September 30, 2014 for allegedly submitted a forged income tax clearance certificate.
He also accused Mr Ssegawa of having influenced the shortlisting of the Masaka-based Buddu Broadcasting Services, a company in which he is a shareholder, to provide various services to the ministry.
“Given the above suspension, the questionable credibility and conflict of interest by Mr Ssegawa, his appointment as accounting officer for the Ministry of Health for the financial year 2016/17 contravenes the PPDA Act and the Financial and Public Accountability Act,” reads the petition in part.
Dr Lukwago yesterday said: “These are criminal offences but we cannot take action before establishing the truth. They are not compatible with the actions and practices of someone holding such an office.”
The accused speaks out
The accused officer told Sunday Monitor his involvement with MM Construction ceased in August 2010 when he signed off his shares and interest to one Peter Mazzi and Jude Kasawuli.
“It is implied that I influenced the shortlisting of Buddu FM but it applied for shortlisting in November 2014 and the evaluation report was approved in February 2015. I became an under secretary here in May 2015 and was appointed an accounting officer in July 2016. Where is the influence peddling then?” he asked.
Mr Ssegawa has since written to the IGG Irene Mulyagonja defending himself. The IGG spokesperson Munira Ali yesterday requested for time to establish the status of the complaint.
