Barely a week since Chris Obore, the Director of Communications at Parliament was forced to take ‘accumulated leave’ leaving his office vacant, Parliament has appointed a replacement.
Parliament created a position of spokesperson in a bid to further push aside Mr. Obore who is said to be a victim of a witch hunt.
The new position was communicated to all departments on Tuesday and Obore’s deputy, Hellen Kaweesa appointed to it.
According to a circular by Deputy clerk of parliament Henry Waiswa, the issue of Obore’s accumulated leave has been resolved, but he adds that management has asked him to have someone take over the office.
Forced Leave
Mr Chris Obore was sent on forced leave last week, with Jane Kibirige, the clerk of parliament ordering Obore that “I have been directed to inform you to take your accumulated leave with immediate effect.”
The letter was copied to the speaker Rebecca Kadaga, deputy speaker Jacob Oulanyah, deputy clerk corporate affairs, Henry Waiswa, and deputy clerk and also the directors for human resource and finance.
Sources say that Kibirige also directed Obore that even when the 140 days of his accumulated leave elapse, he will only return to the office if he is called back by parliament.
Kibirige also instructed Obore to hand over office to the deputy clerk corporate affairs, Henry Waiswa.
Obore is said to have received the letter on Wednesday last week and forwarded it to his lawyers, Kampala Associated Advocates.
On Thursday, Obore’s lawyers responded to Kibirige’s letter noting that the public service standing orders stipulate that a public servant must apply for leave within a given calendar year and failure to do so, he or she has to forfeit the days for leave not taken.
The public service standing orders provide that leave cannot be accumulated from one calendar year to another unless the public officer’s request to carry forward the leave was approved.
The standing orders provide that a public officer must have submitted a request to carry forward annual leave to the relevant offices for approval by 15th December.