The Public Service Commission has rejected the appointment of Joseph Amone to the post of Kitgum District Service Commission. In December 2011, Luka Nyeko, Kitgum LC V chairman nominated Amone for appointment as Kitgum District Service Commission chairman. The district council unanimously approved his nomination together with four other members. They are Mathew Otto, Dick Sakani Obita, Beatrice Aciro Okeny, and Ociti Gaetano. The names were sent to the Public Service Commission for endorsement.
However, in a letter a February 1, 2012, letter addressed to Kitgum District Local Government the name of Amone was removed. The Commission gave no explanation why the name was omitted. Geoffrey Oguti, Speaker Kitgum District Council says that they tried to seek an explanation from the Public Service Commission why Amone’s name was missing but they were told the reasons are confidential. Oguti however says that four endorsed members can make quorum and are enough to conduct the commission activities.
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But Joseph Amone says that he is not aware of the Public Service Commission’s rejection of his appointment. He refused to comment further saying that he was organizing a funeral service and has no time to discuss his appointment. The rejection of Amone has raised suspicion that NRM members who opposed his nomination could have secretly written to the commission not to endorse him.
Charles Peko, a resident of East Ward A in Kitgum says that the dirty hands of NRM could be at play saying that there is absolutely no reason why Amone could have been rejected. He says Amone served as the senior district personnel officer for many years and retired with a clean record. He puts the blame squarely on the ruling party members.
However, Kitgum district NRM chairperson, Jimmy George Ayella has rubbished the allegations. Ayella says the party has nothing to do with the appointments in the district. He says all the decisions in the council are taken by the councilors without due influence from the party;
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The district service commission is expected to embark on its work immediately with the recruitment of members to fill vacant positions. Currently Kitgum district operates at about 55% of the required human resource.
