Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga has maintained her stance that a civil servant past the retirement age cap isn’t eligible for active service, reason Parliament of Uganda trashed the reappointment of Johnson Byabashaija as Commissioner General of Prisons.
The decision by parliament’s appointments committee chaired by Ms Kadaga has since stirred debate with the Fountain of Honour- President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni who doubles as the Appointment Authority wondering why he should be undermined.
Mr Byabashaija’s contract expires May 5, and his name had been forwarded to Parliament for approval.
To Museveni’s consternation, Kadaga and team objected citing old age. The prison’s boss is 62, just two years past the mandatory retirement age for all civil servants.
Our sources in Parliament tell us that the Speaker wants the Head of State to follow rules.
A separate source in State House revealed to this website that President Museveni has refused to accept the decision because, “he thinks Kadaga is intending to embarrass Byabashaija.”
We understand that Museveni has on several occasions sent his trusted aides to negotiate with Kadaga and harmonize on Byabashaija’s position, but the errant Speaker has not given them a room for talks.
“She says the law is clear. And she is not ready to break the law,” added a source.
Johnson Byabashaija was rejected along with his deputy James Mwanje after they appeared before the Parliamentary appointments committee two weeks ago for vetting after Museveni renewed their contracts.
However, Byabashaija who has served as commissioner general for 15 years said that old age could not stop his service.
He said that although he is aged 62, the law does not apply to him in the circumstances because he is serving on a contract basis of three years. Byabasaija had retired from public service in 2005.
Don Wanyama, the President’s press secretary couldn’t be reached for a comment as his known phone number was off. similarly, Sam Obbo the Speaker’s private secretary couldn’t pick his calls.