Tumwebaze still minister - government

Mr Frank Tumwebaze (R) speaks to journalists at the handover of the tribunal report that implicated Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago by Justice Catherine Bamugemereirwe (L) in 2013. PHOTO BY FAISWAL KASIRYE

What you need to know:

Not true. Government comes out to dispel rumours that the minister was suspended

Kampala. The government yesterday said Mr Frank Tumwebaze, the Minister for the Presidency and Kampala Capital City Authority, was not sent on forced leave and will return to office on February 2.
“I can confirm that Mr Tumwebaze is on official leave. He requested for leave and was granted. I, therefore, dismiss the speculation on social media. We expect the minister back in office as soon as his leave expires,” Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda told Daily Monitor in a telephone interview yesterday.
Dr Rugunda also dismissed speculation that Mr Tumwebaze is under investigation. “I cannot go into speculation, government operates in a transparent manner. If there was anything it would have been made public officially. “
Mr Tumwebaze has come under public scrutiny after claims on social media that he had been suspended to pave way for investigations. The government also issued a press statement, with a letter dated December 18, 2014, in which the minister sought annual leave from the premier. The letter, copied to the executive director KCCA, the President’s Principal Private Secretary and State House comptroller, indicates that Mr Tumwebaze, also the Kibale county MP, started his leave on January 3.

Social media users warned
Security minister Wilson Muruli Mukasa in the press statement issued yesterday confirmed he was the acting minister for KCCA and the Presidency. He also cautioned members of the public using social media against sharing what he called “extreme hate content” against the President, his family and close staff.
Mr Muruli wrote: “It is normal that when a minister is out of office either for the purpose of taking his leave or for executing any other duty out of the station, another colleague steps in and holds the portfolio. That is how I am currently holding the portfolio for minister in charge of the Presidency and Kampala.”
He did not reveal the identity of people he claims have taken to social media to attack the President and his relatives.

Still on leave
When contacted yesterday, Mr Tumwebaze said, “I am on leave and will return for duty on February 2. The rest is rubbish from hate groups and I am not bothered.” He did not, however, reveal the identity of the said hate groups behind what he said was a malicious propaganda campaign.