The Inspectorate of Government has finally pronounced itself on the legality surrounding the recruitment and subsequent appointment of Arua district principal personnel officer Stephen Andama.
According to the anti-corruption watchdog, the appointment of Andama first for as senior personnel officer was illegal because the post did not exist within the administrative structure of Arua district.
In its April 4th report signed by the Acting Inspector General of Government (IGG) Raphael Baku, the Inspectorate also recommends that since Andama was holding a post that did not exist in the district structure his subsequent appointment as the principal personnel officer is null and void.
The IGG carried out investigations into the appointment of Andama after district councilors complained that he had promoted himself to principal personnel officer illegally because he did not have the required qualifications to hold the post. They also accused Andama of abuse of office, noting that while in office he illegally recruited nine community development officers who had no required qualifications and were reportedly his relatives.
But when the district council wanted to form a probe committee to investigate the personnel officer, Arua deputy Chief Administrative Officer Martin Gwoktho said the complains had already been taken up by the IGG and it would be useless to duplicate the work done by the ombudsman.
When IGG started investigations early this year, Andama reportedly took off and since then he has not been in office making it difficult for the anti-corruption watchdog to verify some of the allegations.
According to public service commission, for one to be appointed as principal personnel officer, they must have a bachelor’s degree plus a postgraduate diploma in Human Resource Management or membership of a relevant professional body.
One must also have at least six years of professional working experience and served at a senior level in government or from a reputable organisation. But the findings of the IGG indicate that Andama did not have all the above qualifications. He was a secondary school teacher with a degree in education who was later appointed as a sub county chief.
The IGG has therefore directed Arua district service commission to rescind Andama’s appointment as senior personnel officer and principal personnel officer since the first position did not exist in the district structure and he does not have the required experience for the second position.
It is also recommended that the position be re-advertised so that people with required qualifications can be recruited.
When contacted over the IGG report and actions taken by the district, the LC 5 chairperson Wadri Sam Nyakua said they received the investigations report and the district service commission is in the process of taking action as required by the law.
Two days ago, the Inspectorate of Government released its report for the July-December 2011 period with district local administrations ranking high among the most corrupt institutions.
