Museveni secretary explains inconsistencies in appointed minister Babalanda’s names

The office of the president says they have corrected the names of Ms Babirye Milly Babalanda and confirmed her as the duly appointed minister for presidency which has been pending.

A letter signed off by Dr Kenneth Omona, the principal private secretary in the office of the president to the clerk of Parliament indicated that there had been a mix up of names when the list was submitted to Parliament for approval.

“This is to clarify that the correct names are Mrs Babirye Milly Babalanda and not Mariam Doka Babalanda. I therefore, confirm that His Excellency appointed Babirye Milly Babalanda as minister in charge of the Presidency,” in part reads the letter.

The appointment of designate minister for Presidency has had several twists and turns, including the mismatch in the academic documents which had eight instead of 10 subjects.

During the Parliamentary Appointments Committee session on Monday, June 14, 2021, Ms Babalanda was advised to appear on June 15, 2021 after the Speaker’s office had secured a letter from Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) and from the President.

There were issues with her Uganda Certificate of Examination indicated that she had sat for eight subjects instead of 10. However, UNEB is said to have officially communicated to the Speaker that on Adult Entry, it's optional to take physics and chemistry.

Ms Babalanda is said to have chosen not to take the two subjects.

UNEB also confirmed that she sat for Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education in 2019 at Makerere Day and Evening Adult School.