President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda has issued a directive ordering the reinstatement of Geraldine Busulwa Ssali as the top accounting officer for the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives. This move comes in direct contrast to her suspension earlier this month, which was the result of a parliamentary investigation into allegations of fraud and irregularities within the ministry.
Ssali’s dismissal was initiated by Trade Minister Francis Mwebesa, who acted on recommendations from the Secretary to the Treasury, Ramathan Ggoobi. The Parliament’s trade committee had endorsed Ssali’s suspension due to her involvement in the alleged misappropriation of funds during her tenure as the ministry’s accounting officer.
In a letter dated October 26, Lucy Nakyobe, the Head of Public Service and Secretary to the Cabinet, informed the Secretary to the Treasury of President Museveni’s directive to reinstate Ssali immediately. This decision follows Ssali’s suspension, during which she was replaced by Alfred Oyo Andima as the accounting officer.
The letter stated, “Reference is made to H.E. the President’s letter concerning the above-mentioned Permanent Secretary. This is to request you to immediately reinstate Ssali as the accounting officer for the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives as per the President’s directive.”
Ggoobi had justified Ssali’s suspension, indicating that it was intended to allow other state actors to conduct investigations into allegations of financial misconduct within the ministry.
Ssali’s replacement, Mr. Andima, held the position of accounting officer for less than a month before the reinstatement of Ssali.
The parliamentary investigation had found Ssali responsible for approving inflated cash advances for suspicious transport-related activities. Furthermore, it was discovered that Ssali spent over Shs550 million to transport ministry documents from Kampala to Entebbe, which is approximately 34 kilometers away. The committee also held her accountable for the suspected inflation of the estimated cost of renovating Farmer’s House, the current location of the trade ministry, from Shs4.6 billion to Shs6.2 billion.
President Museveni’s decision to reinstate Ssali has raised questions and concerns in light of the corruption allegations against her.
