Overview:
Mr Museveni last week appointed Kakooza, who currently serves as the Principal Private Secretary to the Vice President, as the acting PS of the Trade Ministry, replacing Ms Geraldine Ssali, who is battling charges of charges of abuse of office, causing financial loss and conspiracy.
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives is on Thursday set to get a new permanent secretary after President Museveni decided against keeping Mr Alex Kakooza in a caretaker role.
Mr Museveni last week appointed Kakooza, who currently serves as the Principal Private Secretary to the Vice President, as the acting PS of the Trade Ministry, replacing Ms Geraldine Ssali, who is battling charges of charges of abuse of office, causing financial loss and conspiracy.
However, the head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet Ms Lucy Nakyobe, said Kakooza has been recalled to concentrate on his current role, which is equally engaging.
She said she has recommended another name to the President.
“There is going to be an appointment of a substantive Permanent Secretary to that Ministry. I had told you Mr Kakooza was appointed to care take,” Nakyobe said
She, however, declined to name the individual she had recommended to the President to fill the now vacant position.
“The President said he is going to appoint a substantive [PS], so, I have recommended another name, I submitted it yesterday (Tuesday) and I hope he (President) will respond by closure of business today (Wednesday),” she added
According to the rules of public service, when a public servant is charged in court, that officer is interdicted until the court processes are done. Nakyobe last week intimated the possibility of reinstatement in case one is found innocent.
But the appointment of a substantive PS leaves Ms Ssali’s fate in the balance.
Ssali was appointed Trade, Industry and Cooperatives Permanent Secretary in August 2021, taking over from Grace Choda who was acting PS following the death of James Onen.