Ministry Of Health Fines And Demotes An Official For Misusing Covid Vehicles

Ministry of Health has fined and demoted a senior official for using Covid vehicles for personal errands. They fined James Tukahirwa 22.5 million after they found him guilty of using one of the government Covid response vehicles.

The Senior Assistant Secretary or Transport Officer used two vehicles to ferry building materials to his private sites in Kazo, Kyegegwa, Kampala, and Ntungamo districts. This is until the IGG seized them on December 14, 2021.

“We note that the respondent(Tukahirwa) noted the breach, was willing to make good the damage, expressed remorse, and didn’t waste the tribunal’s time. However, abuse of government property is a serious breach. Taking into account the circumstances of this case and all the above, the tribunal rejects the respondent’s prayer to be warned or cautioned as punishment. We view such caution or warning as too lenient and a mere slap on the wrist,” the tribunal ruled.

The Tribunal headed by Dr. Roselyn Karugonjo-Segawa and prosecuted by the IGG presided over this case. The Ministry of Health, however, disappointed the tribunal.

Apparently, they have weak internal systems that cannot deter this abuse of office.

“That this abuse was repeatedly committed but not detected, corrected or punished by the Ministry of Health. The Public Service Standing Orders 2021 points to a weakness in the internal control systems of the ministry. This, they should address urgently according to the tribunal’s view.”

Meanwhile, he has to deposit the shs22.5 million to the Inspectorate of Government’s Asset Recovery Account with Bank of Uganda. The demotion on the other hand is effective immediately.

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