KAMPALA, Uganda — Employees at the Ministry of Finance are challenging Permanent Secretary Ramathan Ggoobi over his decision to renew the contracts of three senior officials who have reached the mandatory retirement age of 60.
The move has sparked accusations of favoritism and inconsistency, with staff members threatening legal action and a potential slowdown of work at the ministry.
The dispute centers on contract extensions offered to Internal Auditor General Fixon Okonye, acting Director of Economic Affairs Moses Kaggwa and acting Director of Debt and Cash Policy Maris Wanyera. The move has angered younger staff, who argue that it blocks their opportunities for promotion.
Sources within the ministry pointed to past instances where Ggoobi allowed senior officials to retire when they turned 60, including Godfrey Dhatemwa, Laban Mbulamuko, Ishmael Magona, Godwin Kakama and Moses Zziwa. They question why an exception is being made for Okonye, Kaggwa and Wanyera.
The conflict has drawn comparisons to a recent case at the Ministry of Water, where disgruntled employees took legal action over a controversial contract renewal. Staff at the Finance Ministry are considering similar steps, along with petitioning the Head of Public Service, Lucy Nakyobe, and the president.
Some employees are also reportedly considering a “go-slow” approach to their work, hoping to undermine Ggoobi’s performance as permanent secretary. This comes amid a broader concern that contract extensions are creating a culture of “non-retirement” in the public service. The article cited the case of Deputy Permanent Secretary Patrick Ocailap, who is 68 and continues to hold his position, as an example of this trend.
