The Inspectorate of Government has reversed a directive by the Uganda Industrial Research Institute (UIRI) executive director, Prof. Charles Kwesiga, who had ordered two directors to hand over office after their contracts expired.

In a July 17 letter, the Inspector General of Government (IGG), Justice Irene Mulyagonja, revealed that Kwesiga had instructed the UIRI directors: Emmanuel Tumweboneire(production systems) and Joseph Rubarema (product development) to vacate their offices because their contracts had ended.

"We are made to understand that there are several employees whose contracts have expired too, but for unknown reasons, you have singled out the two officers named above.

This amounts to discrimination in employment contrary to the provisions of Article 42 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda and section 6 of the Employment Act, 2006," she observed.

Mulyagonja pointed out that the power to appoint, control, discipline and remove employees from office is the work of the institute's board of directors as stipulated in section 7 of the UIRI Act.

"You are reliably informed that UIRI has no board of directors following the expiry of the term of the former board. The provision above is mandatory and past experience has proved to us that the executive director or chief executive of a statutory body like UIRI cannot take over the role of the board of directors, except if specifically mandated by the appointing authority to do so," she noted.

As a result, Mulyagonja added, Prof Kwesiga's directives to Tumweboneire and Rubarema to hand over office are ultra vires (beyond your powers) and definitely unprofessional. "You are no doubt acting in excess of your powers as executive director."

She also revealed that the inspectorate was investigating Prof. Kwesiga's competence to hold the position of the UIRI executive director and the manner in which he attained office. Prof. Kwesiga was also appointed senior presidential adviser for scientific innovation in December last year.

Mulyagonja directed Prof. Kwesiga to stay any further action of forcing the officers of UIRI who contracts have expired out of their offices until the inspectorate has concluded its investigations.

"Please take note that any further by you in the latter instate will constitute disobeying the orders of the IGG contrary to section 35 of the Inspectorate of Government Act, which may attract your arrest and prosecution for the same. We shall, therefore, not hesitate to take further legal action against you if you do not comply with this order," Mulyagonja warned.

New Vision has learnt that the two officials have since resumed their operations.