Deputy IGG Warns Soroti Cao Against Disobeying Lawful IG Orders
May 16, 2023
The Deputy IGG Mrs. Anne Twinomugisha Muhairwe has warned the Soroti District Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Mr. Aggrey Muramira, against disobeying lawful orders given to him by the Inspectorate of Government (IG).
She made the remarks while paying a courtesy call on the CAO ahead of the meeting between the IG team and district stakeholders.
The Deputy IGG was surprised to learn that while the IG Soroti Regional Office had severally ordered the CAO to among others reign in the indiscipline of the technical staff and restore sanity, Mr. Muramira is yet to take action.
"You (CAO) should know that the office of the IGG shouldn't be taken for granted. I'm surprised that you don't know this. How can we write to you and you ignore our directives?" She asked.
She warned that she would take appropriate action against the CAO.
Her reaction was triggered by the CAO's failure to halt payment for staff who had absconded from duty without explanation for many days, despite several reminders from the head of IG Soroti Regional Office, Mr. Rashid Ssentongo.
Mr Ssentongo also revealed that the CAO is rarely in office, something he said affects service delivery.
"I have personally brought it to his attention (CAO) following complaints from both the public and technical staff but he never replies our letters," Ssentongo said.
The Director of Anti-Corruption Mr. Simon Kajura asked the CAO to respect IG directives, adding that failure to do so will attract punitive measures.
Though the CAO cited political interference as one of the factors stifling service delivery in the district, the Deputy IGG asked him to draw a line between the technical wing and political wing, and remain transparent as the district accounting officer. She pledged IG's support in fighting corruption at the district.
She also lauded Mr. Ssentongo and the IG Soroti team for being bold while investigating cases of corruption in the region.
"The feedback is so far so good. Atleast I have not heard cases where Mr Ssentongo and his team are accused of soliciting for a bribe."
The Soroti District LCV Chairperson, Mr. Simon Peter Edoru, said that whereas IG was doing a good job in the region, the officers should avoid taking sides while carrying out their investigations. However, Mr. Ssentongo denied the allegation.
The Deputy IGG advised the IG team to always be objective and courteous while carrying out investigations.
