New Accounting Officer Alfred Oyo Andima Takes Charge at Trade Ministry
In a recent development, Trade Minister Francis Mwebesa has appointed Mr. Alfred Oyo Andima as the new accounting officer for the Trade Ministry. This move comes in response to a letter from Mr. Ramathan Ggoobi, Permanent Secretary in the Finance Ministry, dated October 3, which instructed Minister Mwebesa to expedite the appointment of a new accounting officer for the Trade Ministry, effectively stripping Ms. Geraldine Ssali of her powers.
Mr. Ggoobi’s letter cited recommendations from the Committee on Trade, chaired by Mr. Mwine Mpaka, which had raised concerns about irregularities during Ms. Ssali’s tenure as the accounting officer. This decision to remove Ms. Ssali aims to allow other state actors to conduct investigations, particularly into allegations of fund misappropriation within the Trade Ministry.
Mr. Mpaka welcomed these developments, stating that they affirm the committee’s work. However, as of now, the official communication from the Trade Ministry to the House is pending. Attempts to reach Ms. Ssali for comment were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.
Additionally, Mr. Mpaka’s committee is nearing the conclusion of investigations into alleged financial misconduct involving cooperative leaders, Trade Ministry officials, and politicians. Speaker Anita Among had authorized this probe on August 29, with a focus on conducting a value-for-money audit of various cooperatives in the country. The investigation, conducted behind closed doors, has questioned officials from the Trade, Finance, and Justice ministries, as well as leaders from different cooperatives.
Mr. Mpaka explained that this unique investigation relied heavily on witness testimonies due to the nature of cash transactions involved. The closed sessions were designed to provide a secure environment for witnesses to testify without fear. However, the Trade committee faced challenges in verifying claims against some cooperatives, as some key individuals and witnesses have been elusive. The Police have been requested to assist in locating these individuals and witnesses while the documentation is being analyzed.
| Key Points | Details |
|---|---|
| Date | Sunday, October 08, 2023 |
| New Accounting Officer | Mr. Alfred Oyo Andima |
| Reason for Replacement | Irregularities during Ms. Geraldine Ssali’s tenure |
| Committee’s Recommendations | Committee on Trade raised concerns |
| Ongoing Probe | Investigations into fund misappropriation and misconduct |
| Cooperative Leaders Involved | Allegations against cooperative leaders and officials |
| Closed-Door Investigation | Testimonies relied upon for investigation |
| Challenges Faced | Elusive individuals and witnesses |
| Police Assistance Sought | Help requested to locate missing individuals |
