KAMPALA – President Museveni has recommended the extension of Dr. Johnson Byabashaija’s tenure as Commissioner General of Prisons, PML Daily has learnt.
On April 6, sections of the media reported that Parliament’s Appointments Committee had rejected extension of Dr Byabashaija’s contract and that of his deputy, Mr James Mwanje, on account of old age.
However, the principal private secretary to the president, Dr. Kenneth Omona, on April 22 wrote to Jeje Odong, the Internal Affairs minister, informing him that the Speaker of Parliament, following discussion with the President, approved the extension of Byabashaija’s contract and that of his deputy.
“This is to inform you that the Rt. Hon. Speaker of parliament of Uganda has communicated that the Appointment Committee of Parliament has approved the appointment of Dr. Johnson O.R Byabashaija as Commissioner General of Prisons and Mr. James Mwanje as Deputy Commissioner General of Prisons,” the letter reads in part.
“I further wish to inform you that upon receipt of the above communication, His Excellency the President has signed the Instrument of Appointment for these two officers,” it adds.
Under the Uganda Public Service Standing Orders (2010), “it is Government policy not to employ pensioners but when it is necessary to do so, a pensioner may be employed on contract terms under the following circumstances: the post to be filled requires special skills and the only suitable candidate available for the post is the pensioner.”
Dr Byabashaija has over 38 years of experience in Prisons management.
He holds a bachelor of science degree in Veterinary Medicine and a Master of Science in the same field from the University of Glasgow in Scotland.
He succeeded the late Joseph Etima as the head of Prisons.
