In July this year, the Ministry of ICT organized a training workshop for all government communicators at the Uganda Institute of Information and Communications at Nakawa in Kampala.
During the workshop, communicators were guided on how to manage and disseminate information, especially during the sensitive electioneering period that was expected to kick off in September.
The Permanent Secretary of ICT, Dr. Amina Zawede, told the communicators that under the public service standing orders, all government communicators would be deployed and supervised by the Ministry of ICT. She revealed that no communicator should be surprised when reshuffles are announced.
She also cautioned that no one is eligible to remain in office or refuse to hand over once affected by a reshuffle.
Her caution was in line with President Yoweri Museveni’s 2023 directive, where he had noted that government workers who have served for long in one place often refuse to vacate offices when transferred.
For decades, government PROs have never experienced reshuffles and had become comfortable in their positions. Some, despite their limited output, continued to earn highly. “Some can’t even write a press release of 200 words but earn highly,” remarked one insider.
In August, the Ministry of ICT issued changes and transferred a number of communicators to different institutions. To the shock of many, some of those affected refused to leave, saying they would not occupy “dry offices.”
Among those transferred was Jesse Ofwoni, moved from the Ministry of ICT to the Ministry of Agriculture as communication officer.
Gladys Kajura was moved from the Ministry of Agriculture to Mulago Referral Hospital as Public Relations Officer.
Simon Peter Jamba was transferred from the Judiciary to Mulago Specialized Hospital as PRO.
Daisy Nakandi was moved from Uganda Land Commission to the Ministry of ICT, replacing Jesse Ofwoni.
Pius Mwinganisa was transferred from the Ministry of ICT to the Ministry of Works, replacing Susan Kataike, who was deployed to the Ministry of East African Affairs.
Standoff
However, Susan Kataike has since rejected leaving her office at the Ministry of Works, rendering Mwinganisa jobless.
“Some of the PROs have been in places for a long time and became comfortable thinking they cannot be transferred,” said an official in the Ministry of ICT.
The official added, “Others have rejected the transfers because they think their new offices are dry.” Asked to elaborate on the term “dry offices,” the official explained, “those perceived dry offices have no budgets.”
Reached for a comment, Ms. Kataike opened a can of worms, warning TrumpetNews against being used by “people feeding you with lies.”
“If you are saying I have refused to leave office, do you know where I am now? Do you know where I am seated? Stop being used. You know some of you are tabloids you write things you don’t even know,” she exploded.
However, she quickly softened her tone, saying there is a reason she is still in office at the Ministry of Works. “You know the ministry is undergoing a merger, UNRA and Road Fund, so we are still recruiting,” she explained.
Asked what the merger had to do with her transfer, Ms. Kataike referred queries to the Permanent Secretaries of both Works and ICT. “Call them and ask them.”
She concluded by inviting TrumpetNews reporte to her office if more information was required. “Please come to my office. I don’t know you. Come if you want information.”
Efforts to reach the PS of ICT, Dr. Zawede, were unsuccessful as she couldn’t respond to our calls.