Namisindwa Heads of Department Unqualified

All heads of department in Namisindwa district lack the necessary qualifications for the positions they are holding. The affected officers have been serving in acting capacity since the inception of the district in 2017. Only the District Community Development Officer, Andrew Wabweni, and Chief Administrative Officer have the relevant qualifications and hold substantial appointments.

This came to the fore on Sunday during a monitoring visit by Peter Ogwang, the State Minister for Economic Monitoring. Some of those in acting capacity are Dr. William Masai, the head of the health department. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Medicine.

Robert Mukelule, the head of the Engineering department holds a diploma in Education, David Mityero, who heads the production department holds a diploma in Agriculture.  Others include Godfrey Kitongo, the Commercial Officer, Sophie Kuloba, the Education department and Robert Mukwana, the head of the Finance Department among others.

The Public Service Job description dictates that heads of departments in the district must possess a bachelor’s degree in their specific field plus a Master’s degree in any managerial field.  The District Education Officer for example must pose a Bachelor’s degree in Education and a Master’s in Education Planning and Management or any Managerial field.

The District Engineer must have a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, a masters in any engineering field with 9-year experience, and must be registered with the Engineering Board while the head of the Production Department must hold a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture or fisheries science or veterinary medicine and a post-graduate in any managerial field.

Franco Olabaro, the Chief Administrative Officer of Namisindwa district told URN that they have had challenges in recruiting staff since inception. He explains that the staffing level in the district stands at 38% noting that they have advertised some of the positions.

In his response Ogwang, said that they can not tolerate the issue of staff serving in acting capacity for years. He said that this partly explains the shoddy works in the district. According to Ogwang, such positions have been ring-fenced for relatives of district officials, which explains why they don’t advertise them.

David Miteyero, the Acting Production Officer who has served in acting since 2017, said that there is a challenge of staff in the district, which has affected service delivery. A councilor who preferred anonymity told URN that even at the sub-county level, the majority of the sub-county chiefs and town clerks are serving in an acting capacity.

He noted many were recruited as parish chiefs and appointed to act as sub-county chiefs.