Foreign Affairs Minister, Sam Kutesa and his two deputies, Okello Oryem and Asuman Kiyingi as well as Permanent Secretary, James Mugume were on Thursday thrown out of parliament after it was discovered that Mugume was in office illegally.
MPs sitting on the foreign affairs Committee found out that Ambassador Mugume’s contract expired in September 2010 but is still holding office to this date.
Theodore Sekikubo, the Lwemiyaga legislator argued that the constitution is clear on the office of permanent secretary, who is appointed by the president. The policy statement in parliament shows that Mugume is still the PS and Ssekikubo blames Kutesa for defending such a position.
MPs Jack Wamai for Mbale Municipality and Jack Sabiiti for Rukiga County were equally perturbed by the Ministry’s move. They saw no reason for the ministry to continue defending their budget when there is such a glaring vacuum in the position of a permanent secretary, who doubles as the accounting officer.
Hood Katuramu, the chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Committee made a ruling that saw the ministry officials go out of parliament until the anomaly is addressed.
//Cue in: as a committee…
Cue out:…of the ministry.//
But Sam Kutesa described the issue as technical saying it will be sorted out soon. He also said he will remind the president that his office does not have a substantive permanent secretary. Kutesa maintained that the PS is not in office illegally.
James Mugume says he has a letter from the Ministry of Public Service that authorizes him to operate as the permanent secretary pending the appointment from the President. He says he has assurance that his contract will be renewed.
Cue in: I have a letter….
Cue out: secretary to cabinet.//
The committee is yet to set another date to consider the ministry’s budget.
