The Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Hilary Onek has written a disturbing letter accusing the Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja of usurping his powers and office.
In a letter dated October, 29, 2021, addressed to the PM Nabbanja, Minister Onek expresses displeasure with the way Nabbanja is usurping his office by conducting activities that are meant to be done by his office, more so without informing them.
“From the time of your appointment, I have been observing with total displeasure the fact that my role and that of my deputy as the Ministers in charge of refugees and disaster and the lead policy makers on matters of refugee and disaster management have been totally usurped by your office,” Onek said in his dossier.
Onek further accused Nabbanja, who is the overall coordinator and leader of government business for calling for meetings and visiting disaster affected places and refugee settlements without informing either his office or that of his deputy.
“To my shock, my staff who I supervise are the ones being called for meetings and not the line minister,” he said.
Citing examples, Onek recalled how on 29th October, 2021, Nabbanja called for a meeting with the local leadership of Bududa without involving his office or even the area MPs.
“You have also purged the department of disaster management, taken over the distribution of relief items and causing interdiction of staff members without proper investigation. The interdicted staff were accused of causing a financial loss without conducting a forensic audit by involving office of the auditor general,” he said.
Onek further accused Nabbanja of demeaning her office by involving herself into managing micro projects in different ministries.
“I have worked with the previous three Prime Ministers and all long I know that their constitutional mandate is to coordinate legislative agenda, lead government business in parliament and monitor all ministries and government programs. They have never got involved in the micro management of other ministries,” he said.
Minister Onek is ready to resign if Nabbanja does not stop usurping his office and micro-managing his ministry.
“Rt Hon Prime Minister if you have decided to carry on working like this and rendering my docket irrelevant, kindly put it writing to H.E the President who is the appointing authority and I will relieve myself of my responsibilities and allow you carry on with your duties. I will not be held accountable for decisions that have been taken without my input,” Onek said.
The Ministry of Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees has for years been engulfed into cases of corruption.
In August, PM Nabbanja interdicted 9 officials from the department of disaster management for allegations that they procured substandard food and non-food items meant for Kasese Flood victims.
They were charged with corruption, abuse of office, and causing financial loss to the government of Uganda.
Last year, Permanent Secretary, Christine Guwatudde Kintu, Accountant Joel Wanjala, Assistant Commissioner for Procurement Fred Lutimba, and Commissioner for Disaster Management Martin Owor were arrested on accusations of false accounting during the purchase of relief food including posho and beans. DPP wound up their files and dropped charges.
