The Central Bank Deputy Governor Louis Kasekende has finalized and is ready to hand over his report as his fate at the Bank remains unpredictable.
Kasekende’s third term is remaining with a number of hours to expire and writings on wall are clear that he will not be offered a new contract.
“He has already packed his bag, arranged all his documents waiting to hand over office. But he has some fantasy that he is likely to stay on the job,” an insider at BoU said.
The Ministry of Finance Hon. Matia Kasaija who is the custodian of Bank of Uganda sometime back said he had no powers to renew Kasekende’s contract, adding that the de facto Minister of Finance who is the President is the only person that can save the beleaguered Deputy Governor.
With only hours remaining for Kasekende to hang his boots, a section of BoU still expect to stay on the job at least until after the 2021 general elections.
“Nearly everyone at the central bank, Ministry of Finance, and perhaps a good majority of the knowledgeable power brokers want to have him in there [at BOU] especially as we head into the tense election season,” an official had earlier told the media.
Our sources say, the same officials had tried to use same version in State House to defend their boss’ stay on the job but were denied audience.
“Since the President has been silent on Kasekende, his allies rushed to State House to seek audience with Museveni’s aides but in vain,” a source said.
They argue that Kasekende’s stay is important politically as the country prepares for 2021 Presidential elections.
But Museveni’s aides wondered why the Central Bank officials would attempt to blackmail the person of the President.
Another staff member said all indications show “the deputy governor was likely to stay on”. The appointment is made by President Museveni but he gets recommendations from different sources.
Also, a source said, there is lobbying from senior Catholics figures in the country that Kasekende stays on in the post – an important aspect politically. But some staff at the central bank said this was minor because there are other senior catholic economists that can take up the post.
Kasekende, 61, first served as the deputy governor between 1999 and 2002. Before then, he had served in different capacities at the central bank –director of Research Department and executive director responsible for research and policy.
He moved on to work as chief economist of the African development bank from 2006 to 2009.
