EOC Boss’ fate hangs in balance as Solicitor General advises Gender PS to refer her case to President Museveni

She has been committed to High Court for trial, however, Equal Opportunities Commission chairperson Sylvia Muwebwa Ntambi also awaits her fate from the President himself on whether she loses her job or not.

In a December 2 letter to the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, the Solicitor General advises the ministry to bring the matter to the attention of the Minister who will in turn inform the President for the final decision on whether to interdict Ntambi or not.

“Ms Sylvia Muwebwa Ntambi is not appointed by the Public Service Commission but by the President, who also has the authority to revoke her appointment according to Section 6 of the Equal Opportunities Commission Act,” the Solicitor General H. Tukamushaba says in the letter to the PS.

He adds: “By virtue of Section 24 of the Interpretation Act Cap3, it is the President, him being Ms Muwebwa Ntambi’s appointing authority, to suspend, re-appoint or re-instate her as part of his power of appointment.”

He concludes: “Therefore in response to your question, our opinion is that the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development does not have the power or mandate to interdict Ms Sylvia Muwebwa Ntambi. Accordingly, we advise that you bring the matter to the attention of the supervising minister (Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development) so that he may in turn bring it to the attention of the President for the requisite action.”

Last month, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development Aggrey David Kibenge wrote to the Solicitor General, seeking advice on the interdiction of troubled Equal Opportunities Commission Chairperson (EOC), Sylvia Muwebwa Ntambi.

In the 09th November 2020 letter, the Permanent Secretary wants the Solicitor General who is the official government legal advisor to guide on the interdiction of Presidential appointees, such as the Chairperson of the EOC.

Ntambi has also been committed to High Court for trial on accusations of corruption and mismanagement of millions of taxpayers’ money.

She is jointly accused with the nine former employees of the commission who were interdicted after they were charged last year and were released on bail pending trial.

The nine include former senior personal secretary to the chairperson, Ms Agnes Enid Kamahoro, Moses Mugabe (senior monitoring evaluation officer), Harriet Byangire (senior accountant), Ronnie Kwesiga (Acting accounts assistant), Evans Jjemba (Principal Compliance officer), Manasseh Kwihangana (senior compliance officer), Sarah Nassanga (office attendant) and Sunday Nicholas Olwor.