Museveni doctor lined up for PS job
Two of the names nominated are those of Dr Diana Atwine (L), the head of State House Health Monitoring Unit, and Ms Molly Kamukama (R), the political assistant in the office of the NRM chairperson.
What you need to know:
According to Article 174 of the Constitution, a permanent secretary to a ministry is appointed by the President in accordance with advice of the Public Service Commission.
When contacted, Dr Atwine said she was not aware of the developments.
Kampala. President Museveni has nominated nine names for the position of permanent secretary (PS), according to State House sources.
Two of the names nominated are those of Dr Diana Atwine, the head of State House Health Monitoring Unit, and Ms Molly Kamukama, the political assistant in the office of the NRM chairperson. But the sources didn’t name other nominees.
Dr Atwine, a physician and specialist in Internal Medicine, and the President’s doctor, has been the director at the Health Monitoring Unit of State House since 2009. She previously served as senior researcher in HIV and infectious diseases at the Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC) in Kampala for more than 10 years.
Dr Atwine was thrust in the limelight for her role in fighting drug theft scandals and health workers’ negligence in public health facilities.
Earlier reports had indicated that the President had yesterday appointed Dr Atwine as the Health ministry’s permanent secretary, replacing Dr Asuman Lukwago.
But calling it a mere speculation, Mr Don Wanyama, the senior presidential press secretary, said there is no confirmation regarding Dr Atwine’s appointment.
“There is no official confirmation regarding the appointments,” Mr Wanyama said in a telephone interview yesterday.
When contacted in a telephone interview, the head of Public Service, Mr John Mitala, said: “I am not aware of any appointment of PS,” he said.
In a telephone interview regarding the development yesterday, Dr Lukwago said: “I have already informed the appointment authority that I am leaving the ministry in January. I am not going to renew my contract. I requested that I should be released. Such choices are made by men. If it’s confirmed that they have appointed [Dr] Atwine, she is a suitable replacement, I congratulate her and I wish her success”.
When contacted, Dr Atwine said she was not aware of the developments.
“I am not aware and out of town, but when I come back to Kampala, I will confirm,” she said.
About the PS job
The law. According to Article 174 of the Constitution, a permanent secretary to a ministry is appointed by the President in accordance with advice of the Public Service Commission. On the roles of PS, the Constitution states: “Subject to the provisions of the Constitution, a ministry or department of government shall be under the supervision of a permanent secretary whose office shall be a public office.”
Role of PS. A PS is responsible for the organisation and operation of the department or ministry, tendering advice to the responsible minister in respect to the business of a department. Among other roles, the PS is also charged with implementation of polices of the government of Uganda.
