Kampala, Uganda – Questions are being raised within the Ministry of Finance regarding the continued tenure of Internal Auditor General Fixon Akonya Okonye, whose stay in office has become the subject of growing scrutiny and political maneuvering.
While Okonye maintains that his mandatory retirement is due on October 25, 2025, several high-level sources within the ministry argue that his service effectively expired in June 2025, raising questions about whether he should still be occupying the role.
The dispute comes amid allegations that a group of powerful politicians and senior technocrats, reportedly including Speaker of Parliament Anita Among, are lobbying for the extension of Okonye’s tenure, possibly through a fresh contract sanctioned by the President.
However, the bid has sparked resistance within the ministry, with some insiders accusing Okonye of frustrating internal succession planning.
“His extended stay has created an institutional bottleneck,” a senior official told this publication under condition of anonymity. “There’s growing concern that younger professionals are being denied opportunities to grow and lead, in part because mentorship structures have not been deliberately fostered.”
Okonye, who joined the Ministry of Finance in 1992 and was appointed Internal Auditor General in 2015, currently oversees the Office of the Internal Auditor General (OIAG), an entity mandated to supervise all internal audit functions across government institutions.
His career spans over three decades, and he is widely credited with contributing to the standardization of public sector audit practices.
However, critics argue that while his technical competence is not in doubt, his continued presence risks undermining the Ministry’s commitment to capacity building and compliance with public standing orders.
In his response to inquiries by this publication, Okonye firmly denied suggestions that he is clinging to office through political patronage, stating:
“My mandatory retirement is 25th October 2025. I will continue working until that day without fear or favor. I am serving on merit and I have grown in the service on merit through many years of dedicated service.”
Addressing reports that he is being shielded by political figures, including the Speaker, Okonye did not deny his tribal connection to her but dismissed any claims of undue influence:
“To belong to the same tribe cannot surely be an offense. The Rt Hon Speaker has a job to perform in Parliament. I have served on merit, including as President, Senior Vice President, and Vice President of the Institute of Internal Auditors because my competencies and skills were valued, not because of knowing individuals.”
He further clarified that his office will be filled through a transparent recruitment process, adding: “The job will be advertised externally and the best candidate will take it, not politics.”
Nonetheless, tensions remain high, with some technocrats warning of a potential management impasse. The situation follows the retirement of other long-serving figures such as Kenneth Mugambe (former Director of Budget) and Lawrence Semakula (former Accountant General), both of whom exited quietly without public controversy.
Additional Reporting by Ug Exclusive
