A senior official with the Health Ministry has been demoted in rank after voluntarily pleading guilty to having used government Covid-19 cars to ferry his personal construction materials.
Tribunal’s records show that James Tukahirwa breached the Leadership Code when he used the Ministry of Health’s vehicles registration numbers UG 6945M and UG 6646 M for personal work.
Tukahirwa, a Senior Assistant Secretary/Transport Officer who has worked in public service for over 30 years, was to that effect, demoted in work ranks.
He was convicted to a demotion and ordered to pay a fine of Shs22.5m under the Leadership Code Act, becoming the first conviction under the new leadership tribunal headed by Dr. Roselyn Karugonjo-Segawa.
The tribunal ruled that, taking into account the circumstances of this case and all the above, the tribunal rejects the respondent’s prayer to be warned or cautioned as punishment.
”Only caution or warning will be too lenient and a mere slap on the wrist. We want other Public Service Workers to learn from you” the tribunal ruled.
The tribunal has, however, took into account the plea of guilty by the respondent which saved the tribunal’s time and resources , his remorsefulness, agreement to pay Shs22.5m to make good the loss occasioned by his abuse of the government vehicles and the fact that he is a first time offender with a 32-year public service record. For that, a demotion is appropriate in the circumstances.