The Solicitor General has come out to give guidance on the interdiction of Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) chairperson Sylvia Ntambi.
Responding to the Permanent Secretary of Gender Ministry Aggrey Kibenge, the Solicitor General in his letter dated December 2, said Ms Ntambi is not a “public officer” as defined by the Constitution and as such, the provisions of the various laws on interdiction of “public officers” do not apply to her.
“Ms. Sylivia Muwebwa Ntambi is not appointed by the Public Service Commission but by the President, who also has the authority to revoke her appointment according to Section 6 of the Equal Opportunities Commission Act,” the Solicitor General added.
His guidance comes after the Director of Public Prosecution asked Ntambi’s relevant Ministry- Ministry of Gender- to kick her out of office after she was charged in Court of Corruption.
The Permanent Secretary Kibenge thus sought guidance from the Solicitor General is the Ministry had powers to interdict her.
The Anti-Corruption Court Magistrate last week committed Ms Ntambi to the High Court for trial.
But DPP feared that Ntambi’s stay in office would jeopardize investigations and therefore recommended that she is interdicted immediately.
The Solicitor General said the President is the appointing Authority, who has powers to suspend, reappoint or reinstate her as part of his power of appointment.
“Therefore, in response to your question, our opinion is that the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development does not have the power or mandate to interdict Ms. Sylivia Muwebwa Ntambl,” the Solicitor General added.
The Solicitor General advised that Ntambi’s issues should be brought to the attention of the supervising Minister (Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development) so that he may in turn bring it to the attention of the President for the requisite action.
Sylvia Ntambi is battling 25 charges of corruption, abuse of office, causing financial loss, embezzlement and conspiracy to defraud government.
