Civil servant interdicted for ‘defaming district officials’ on social media

A senior nursing officer attached to Kwirwot Health Centre II in Suam Sub County, Bukwo District has been interdicted over what the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) termed as attacking and defaming district officials.

According to the Bukwo District CAO, Mr Gabriel Richard Atama, the interdicted civil servant, Mr Harison Simiyu, has been writing and circulating malicious rumours attacking and defaming officials from the police as well as local government.

“On many occasions, you have been writing and circulating malicious rumours and many other unconfirmed and illegitimate information attacking and defaming/slandering men and officers working either within the local government system, the police and other agencies of government,” the interdiction letter dated June 11, 2019 to Simiyu, 35, reads in part.

“You have done this in total disregard of your status as an officer bound by the oath of secrecy and all provisions of the Uganda government standing orders 2010, the code of ethics conduct of public officers, and other laws and regulations governing the civil service… Against the above and a number of evidences pointing to the same, I have no option but to interdict you from office," the letter further reads.

Mr Atama confirmed to our reporter that Mr Simiyu had been interdicted and will appear before the rewards and sanctions committee for questioning.
"It's true, he has been interdicted. Despite several cautions, Mr Simiyu has been breaking confidential rules by circulating defamatory information via his social media platforms against our police officers and local government leaders,” he said.

However, Resident District Commissioner Mr Tom Chesol, defended Mr Simiyu’s actions, saying he has been helping the community through exposing corruption in the district.
"The CAO was misled. The interdiction was irregular. This guy is a good person and is only helping in the fight against corruption for better service delivery,” he said.

Mr Simiyu confirmed reception of the interdiction letter saying his actions are only meant for the fight against corruption.
“This is just a witch-hunt, because I’m one of the leading whistle blowers in exposing corruption in the district. These guys are corrupt. I’m not the first person to be interdicted, there are so many people who are being harassed because of talking about corrupt officials in the district," he said.

Mr Simiyu has been making the said posts on various popular social media sites in Sebei region including Facebook pages namely Eastern Uganda Watchdogs, and Sabiny Updates among others.