It is mixed feelings inside government ministries and agencies’ communications and public relations offices as several officials learn of their new postings following major transfers initiated by the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance.
Dozens of spokespersons have been deployed or reassigned in the past few weeks, with Mulago National Referral Hospital finally securing a substantive spokesperson in Gladys Baligonzaki Kajura, while former NBS Television conservation reporter Olivia Nakalembe has joined the Ministry of Tourism.
But while some, like Nakalembe, are celebrating fresh opportunities, the Nile Post has been reliably informed of quiet lobbying by several office bearers reluctant to move.
The unease is mostly at dockets whose office bearers had been in for long yet in May, ICT Ministry Permanent Secretary Amina Zawedde informed the spokespersons of the impending transfers that she said was to ensure efficiency.
“At a meeting we had this year in May, the PS told all government communications officers of this impending move starting early this year,” a source familiar with the reshuffle said.
“She actually noted that it is intended to ensure efficiency in service.”
The Nile Post reached out to several officers said to be affected by the reshuffle, but most either declined to comment or avoided confirming the reports.
“The right person to talk about these issues is the PS. Please reach out to her. There is no way I can help you,” one officer said.
Kataike Dismisses Transfer Reports
Among those said to be moving is the Ministry of Works and Transport spokesperson, Susan Kataike, whose new workplace this website could not readily establish - although we can confirm that Pius Mwinganisa from the Ministry of ICT, has moved to Works and Transport.
Ms Kataike dismissed the reports, saying she has not received any official communication regarding a transfer and described the allegations as baseless.
“It is not true that I have been transferred. I have not seen any transfer letter, and today I met with my Permanent Secretary, but she has not told me anything,” she said.
“If such a decision had been made, I would have known by now.”
Ms Kataike emphasized that transfers of senior officers in government follow formal procedures and are communicated through letters addressed to respective Permanent Secretaries.
The Nile Post has variously contacted Dr Zawedde but in vain as she is understood to be out of the country on official duties.
However, sources have intimated to this website that many of those being moved have already received their letters although the process is ongoing.
“By the time a transfer is made, a letter goes to the PS. I had a meeting with my PS today, and nothing was mentioned. Besides, when such letters come, word spreads quickly within the ministry. I have not seen or heard anything official,” she added.
Ms Kataike's reaction follows suggestions that she resisting a transfer - claims she dismissed as unfounded.
“I don’t believe in such fights. I work professionally with my colleagues,” she said.
“If I receive such a letter, I will comply. But as far as I am concerned, I have not been transferred.”
____________________________________________________________________
Confirmed and Reported Changes
Sources within government communications circles indicate that some movements have already taken place:
-
- Mulago Hospital now has Gladys Baligonzaki Kajura as spokesperson.
-
- Jessy Ofwoni has reportedly moved from the Ministry of ICT to Agriculture as Senior Communications Officer.
-
- Simon Peter Jamba, formerly with the Judiciary, has been posted to the Mulago Specialised Unit.
-
- Daisy Nakandi has been transferred from the Uganda Land Commission back to the Ministry of ICT, considered her parent ministry.
-
- Pius Mwinganisa, formerly with the Ministry of ICT, is reported to have been deployed to replace Kataike at Works and Transport, though this remains unconfirmed.
-
- Olivia Nakalembe has been deployed at the Ministry of Tourism
__________________________________________________________
Meanwhile, with Gladys Baligonzaki Kajura moving to Mulago Hospital, Ms Jessy Ofwoni has been redeployed to her former docket at the Ministry of Agriculture.
Ofwoni has been with the ICT ministry and her departure will see Daisy Nakandi leave the Uganda Land Commission back to the Ministry of ICT, which is considered her parent ministry.
Simon Peter Jamba, formerly at the Judiciary, has reportedly been posted to the Mulago Specialized Unit.
Additionally, Nile Post understands that Pius Mwinganisa, formerly with the Ministry of ICT, has been deployed to replace Kataike at the Ministry of Works and Transport though this has not been officially confirmed.
