BEFORE MPS: Bukenya
By Hamis Kaheru
and Joyce Namutebi
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni is
to drop his full-time presidential advisers in favour of part-time
services, the presidency minister Gilbert Bukenya, told Parliament
yesterday.
�We have recommended, and the President has accepted,
to create two categories of advisers: those on full-time who are needed on
day-to-day basis and the rest shall be on retainer basis so that they go
on with their work and come when called upon to perform a certain
function,� he said.
Bukenya said the recommendation, to be
implemented from February, resulted from a study initiated nine months ago
to find ways of re-organising public administration.
He said those
to remain on full-time engagement include the President�s doctor, pilot
and speech writer. The MPs rejected this, saying the trio were technical
staff.
Bukenya was answering a question from Dr. B. Nabwiso
(Kagoma) about the number of presidential advisers and how much they were
paid.
Bukenya said there were 10 senior presidential advisers, one
assistant and eight advisers and 16 presidential assistants.
Nandala Mafabi (Budadiri West) said Government spends sh1.2b on
the advisers monthly and wondered how many hospitals would be built from
the money.
The MPs said the advisers usually find it difficult to
meet the President. Bukenya said the advice given is subject-based and not
period-based, and each adviser advises only when needed.
Nabwiso
wondered why 13 advisers were from western Uganda, 12 from Buganda, and
five from north and east respectively. Bukenya said they were recruited on
merit.
Omara Atubo (Otuke) said the Constitution did not cater for
presidential advisers. The Attorney General was asked to interprete the
law.
Senior presidential advisers are Kintu Musoke, Zimula
Mugwanya (culture), Chango Macho (political), Dr. Jesse Kabimba (AIDS),
Prof. Stanley Tumwine (medical), Dr. James Makumbi (medical), Dr. Martin
Aliker (special duties), John Nangenda (press), Onegi Obel (AGOA) and Maj.
Gen. Mugume (military).
Each earns sh1.78m a gross monthly salary,
sh60,000 consolidated allowance, sh50,000 fuel allowance and sh100,000
office imprest, or sh2m per month plus annual gratuity of sh7.1m.
Bukenya said each presidential adviser is entitled to a
chauffeur-driven car, executive office and staff but in most cases they do
not get these.
Those in lower categories earn almost the same
amount of money.
Presidential advisers are Dr. J.J. Otim (agric
& vet), Brig. Ali Kiiza (airforce), Dr. William Kaberuka (economic),
Prof. Timothy Wangusa (literary), Ezra Kikuri (political), Daniel Naduli
(political), Zakayo Acup (political) and Karamagi Kataama (political).
Special presidential assistants are Dr. Sam Byagageire (vet), Mrs
Joan Kakwenzire (poverty), Ngoma Ngime (manifesto) Fr. Albert Byaruhanga
(special duties), Prof. Lwanga Lunyiigo (research), Maj. Kakooza Mutale
(political), Mrs Susan Muhwezi (AGOA), Hope Kivengere (literary), Haji
Edirisa Seddunga (veterans), Maj. Steven Kwiringira (general) and Resty
Nakyenga Kiguli.
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