KAMPALA- Former staff of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MoSTI) have petitioned its Permanent Secretary citing maltreatment and disrespect as the ministry moves office to State House.
The petition, dated August 30, 2021, is copied to the Speaker of Parliament, the Prime Minister, the Minister of Public Service, the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, the Chairperson – Committee of Parliament on Science, Technology and Innovation, the State House Comptroller and the Secretary General, Uganda Scientists Researchers & Allied Workers Union.
In the petition, the staff demand for fair and dignified treatment during the transition of the ministry to the office of the president. On the 8th June, 2021, H.E the President of Uganda appointed Hon. Dr. Monica Musenero as Minister in charge of Science, Technology and Innovation serviced by the State House Comptroller, and subsequently retired the resident Permanent Secretary and abolished the position. The staff however, argue that a transition roadmap would be developed and communicated to ensure a smooth transition.
“Unfortunately, this transition process has taken long and worse still flouted procedures and laid down processes for transferring Government Institutions resulting in the litany of challenges highlighted in the record below,” the petition says.
The Issues they raise:
In the petition which this website has seen, the staff raise eight issues that they say require attention in order to save government from legal embarrassment.
The issues are;
One, lack of a proper transition road map, which has created unnecessary delays, mishandling and anxiety in the entire process negatively affecting the staff of the Ministry.
Two, Denial of Staff Salary with no justification leading to staff going for two months unpaid contravening section (B-a (9) of the Public Service Standing Orders 2010 which stipulates that salaries of Public Officers shall be paid monthly by the 28th of every month.
Thirdly, the staff observe that there has been lack of formal communication and meetings creating a leadership vacuum leading to speculation and anxiety.
“Consequently, the Ministry has not held any statutory meetings such as Top Policy Management and Senior Management meetings since the new management was announced,” reads the petition.
The staff further observe that they have been locked out of office with no explanation. “On Monday 16th August 2021, MoSTI staff were verbally informed by AIP Omoding, Head of Security at MoSTI and Mr. Andima Oyo Alfred the MoSTI Undersecretary that on instruction of the Hon. Minister that they were not allowed to access their offices. Indeed, on Tuesday 17th August 2021, everyone who turned up at office was denied access to office premises to date.”
The other issues range from Blocking the STI Sector Approved Funds FY2021/22, withdrawal of benefits from entitled staff, accusation of incompetence of MoSTI staff alleging that all of them have been found not worth working in the new dispensation, assigning official public service duties to non-public service officers and applying duress on staff to provide government information
“Clearly the management of transition of MoSTI to State House over the last two months contravenes article 173 (Annex 5) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda on Protection of public servants and provisions as stipulated by the Public Service Act and the Public Service Standing Orders,” they contend.
Their Prayer
Given the issues raide, the staff have requested the Hon. Minister and the State House Comptroller to convene a meeting with staff to communicate the vision and state of affairs of the STI function in the country.
They pray that the Ministry of Public Service prepares and implements a transition roadmap based on relevant laws and procedures in order to ensure a smooth transition.
That the transition process should take into consideration the views of MoSTI staff and key sector stakeholders.
That Government authorities impose a restrictive order to the continued anomaly of use of Non Public Servants conducting Public Service duties and obligations.
That Government expedites payment of MoSTI staff salaries to relieve them of financial pressures currently being experienced.
That offices at MoSTI be opened and staff be accorded unhindered access the offices to enable them carry out Government duties.
That the instructions to block the budgeted funds for the sector and removing working tools such office equipment and vehicles from staff be reversed.
That the new ministry leadership use established procedures and processes in requesting and accessing official Government information under the custody of MoSTI staff.
That the allegations of incompetence on the part of MoSTI staff be formally substantiated by the concerned and competent Government Institution for proper handling and address.
Background:
MoSTI was created in 2016 by H.E the President. The Public Service Commission in accordance with Article 166 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda recruited staff between 2018 and April 2021. A total of 48 technical staff were competitively recruited from various MDAs, Universities and private practice, 85 other common cadre and support staff were transferred from their parent Ministries to operationalize the new Ministry.
In a letter dated 24th March 2017, to the then Minister of Science Technology and Innovation in which H.E. the President directed on the key priority areas he wanted the Ministry to focus on, namely; Space Science, Mineral Research, Indigenous Knowledge, climate science among others (copy of the letter attached). Upon the recruitment of the technical staff, these priority areas were given immediate attention and a lot of progress has been made. For instance, the roadmap for implementation of Space Science Program was approved by Cabinet, the concept for Project of Petrochemical Industry Development was approved by the Development Committee of Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED) and the Indigenous knowledge Policy.