UBOS Speaks About Board Members’ Expired Contract

Uganda Bureau of Statistics UBOS an institution under the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, which is responsible for Census in Uganda has for the first time come out to speak about the trending information within the institution regarding the expiry of Board members Contract.

During a lengthy interview with UBOS head communication Mr Okoth Didacus, he said a lot of inaccurate information about UBOS has been spread on social media. He added that among the issues that have been talked about was the expiry of Board Members serving contract. During his interview, he said that the Board members contract expires in October this year not June as reported by some media houses. 

"The Board members contract expires in October this year. So members still have almost three months of service," he says. He added that after the expiry of their contract, it will be Ministry of Finance to renew their contract or not. "UBOS does not appoint its Board and neither does it renew it. So it will be the decision of Ministry of Finance to determine after October," adds Okoth during the interview. He further advised some members within the media family to always get the correct information.

Some of the board members who are still under contract include Dr Albert Byamugisha who is the chair, Prof Robert Wamala, Robinah Kavuma, Charles Ojok, Dr Okello among others.
Mr Okoth further clarified on the issue of UBOS top officials whom the media reported that are still holding offices yet they have clocked the retirement age of 60 years. 

"Its true when a government official reaches the age of 60 years, he or she retires from government duties," he stated saying beyond that age you have to work on contract.
He said some of the officials that have been in the spotlight included, Ntale Peter who is at the level of Principal,  James Muwonge, Director, Godfrey Nabongo, Deputy Executive Director, Dr. Chris Mukiza, Executive Director, Peter Opio, Nsiko Isreal and Elly Kagwa. 
"Mr Okoth revealed that some of the mentioned persons, have retired while others are still working but close to retire," He states. He added that Peter Opio, Nseko Isreal and Elly Kagwa actually retired and are out of UBOS.
"The rest who were mentioned are left between 1-3 years to go so it is not true that the whole team has clocked retirement age and still working,"He explained. He added that when they clock the retirement age, they will be notified and they will automatically go. 

"UBOS is not a personal institution but a government body and it follows the law. We can not allow any staff to continue working when he or she has clocked retirement age. It is against the laws of Uganda," he said.
Mr Okoth further refuted claims that the ED Dr Chris Mukiza was working on expired contract. "The ED got his first Contract in March 2019 and he served a five year term. So his contract will expire in March 2024 which is next year," he said adding that if it is not renewed, he will automatically go.

On the issue of ED promoting nepotism at UBOS where he employs his own relatives in juicy positions, he refutes the allegations saying they are not true. "UBOS is a government body which employs all Ugandans with wanted qualifications. So some people applied, did the interviews, were short listed and given jobs as Ugandans, " he said some are data collectors which are among the lowest jobs at UBOS.