IGG orders sacking of Kalungu DEO for telling lies

KALUNGU.

Deputy Inspector General of Government Mariam Wangadya has recommended the sacking of Kalungu District Education Officer (DEO), Mr David Bbaale over lack of required academic qualifications.
In a letter dated April 30, 2018, Ms Wangadya, the deputy IGG asked the District Chief Administrative Officer to re-advertise the job within 60 days and also withdraw the assignment of duty from the District Service Commission Secretary, Ms Scovia Kasingirwa.
“You are here by directed to submit Mr David Bbaale, the DEO, to the DSC for termination of his appointment for having provided false information to the commission to facilitate his appointment, even if he had submitted the correct information, it would still not meet the minimum requirements,” Ms Wangadya’s letter reads in part.
Mr Bbaale assumed office in June last year after competing with four other candidates whom the IGG says were more competent.

Among them is Hezron Kayiga, Assad Musisi, Steven Kakeeto and Edward Maalo Ssemugenyi.
According to the Ministry of Public Service, the DEO job descriptions among other qualifications must be a registered teacher with a minimum of a masters degree in Education or a related course besides more than nine years of experience in a government school.
However, the IGG pointed out that Mr Bbaale was given the position after he referred to himself as the principal of King David High School, Lukaya, which the IGG’s office refuted, saying secondary schools are headed by head teachers not principals.
Mr Ismail Mulindwa, the commissioner for private schools in the Ministry of Education notes that the school (King David High School) only submitted the names of the head teacher to the Ministry, not principal.
“The Education Act 2008, does not provide for a head teacher, but rather a principal. Still, a principal/head teacher in a private school is not equivalent to a Principal Education Officer in Public Service,” Mr Mulindwa said
“So, any one crossing from Private to Public Service joins as an education officer since he is supervised by the Public Service. Mr Bbaale therefore ought to have joined Public Service at the level of Education Officer and not as District Education Officer,” he added.
The IGG notes that Mr Bbaale was shortlisted following the verbal advice of Ms Kasingirwa.
When contacted, Ms Fiida Nabirye Kyendebaiza, the Kalungu District chief administrative officer declined to comment about the IGG’s directive.