Row erupts over UEGCL chairperson job
KAMPALA.
A turf war is looming between Finance minister Matia Kasaija and her junior in charge of Investment and Privatization Evelyn Anite, over the appointment of the new board chairperson of the Uganda Electricity Generation Company (UEGCL).
Documents seen by this newspaper indicate that Mr Kasaija on November 9 appointed Mr Francis Katusiime as new board chairperson for a three-year tenure replacing Dr Stephen Isabalija who early this month was elevated as permanent secretary of the ministry of Energy. Mr Katusiime wrote back four days later accepting the appointment.
Mr Katusiime, is the former board chairman of the Uganda Electricity Transmission Company (UETCL) whose tenure was dogged by scandals.
However, Ms Anite on November 11 also appointed Proscovia Njuki, who was already serving on the UEGCL board, as new the board chair with effect from January 1, 2017.
“This is to allow a smooth transition and ensure continuity of board activities with minimal interruption,” Ms Anite’s letter also copied to among others Mr Kasaija, Secretary to the Treasury Keith Muhakanizi and director Parastatal Monitoring Unit.
UEGCL is solely owned by government through the Finance ministry. However, the entity being a divestiture of the defunct Uganda Electricity Board, is managed through the privatisation unit which makes the two its shareholders.
Sources familiar with the matter said appointment of UEGCL’s board chairpersons is the responsibility of the (State) minister of Investment and Privatisation.
The appointment of two different people, this sources, described as the “usual uncoordinated movement of troops in government.”
Ms Anite told Daily Monitor yesterday evening that after the position fell vacant, she consulted Mr Kasaija on how to proceed and who without hesitation gave her green light.
“Of course I knew the role of appointing has been lying with the minister of privatisation but I consulted him since Finance is also a shareholder,” she said.
“I, therefore, appointed Eng Proscovia based on her experience and personal profile which is scandal free. I was equally shocked later through social media to learn that another person had been appointed by my senior.”
Ownership
U EGCL is solely owned by government through the Finance ministry. However, the entity being a divestiture of the defunct Uganda Electricity Board, is managed through the privatisation unit which makes the two its shareholders.
