Gulu University acting Secretary Asaph Adedua faces dismissal following a petition to parliament’s Public Accounts Committee in regard to the institution’s recruitment exercise during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Following the lockdown declared by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to tame the spread of the Coronavirus, the Ministry of Public Service in March issued a circular to all Ministries, Departments and Agencies stopping recruitment during the lockdown.
Contrary to the directive, PAC yesterday learnt that 62 staff have been recruited by Gulu University during the COVID-19 lockdown even when the university is closed.
Mr. Adebua, the acting University Secretary told MPs that it was urgent for them to recruit in order for the institution to be ready once the lock down is lifted and studying resumes.
The confirmation from Adebua angered the PAC Chairperson Nathan Nandala Mafabi who questioned how the appointments board met yet there is a circular stopping recruitment during the COVID-19 lockdown, and whether there were advertisements carried out for the positions and evidence for the adverts.
In response, Adebua said that there were no adverts
for the positions and that interviews were not also carried out, before
shocking legislators that instead of adverts, emails about the positions were
sent out to deans.
His submission raised more questions from Nandala on how the applicants were
got without adverts but Adebua had no answers. Adebua and Hon. Nandala speaking……..
The Budadiri West MP later said that his Committee must recommend for the withdrawal of Adebua’s appointment letter saying that he doesn’t seem to understand his duties. Nandala then ruled that his committee perceives the development at the University as a criminal matter alleging that the officers are using their offices to recruit relatives and friends something that is not acceptable.
He directed the CID officer to carry out an investigation and present to the committee with a report about the people who were recruited and the terms of recruitment and give a detailed report by Thursday next week. Hon. Nandala speaking…….
Earlier, the Bukoto East MP Florence Namayanja had weighed in to question the cause of the recruitment rush when all recruitments had been halted. END
