The former UPDF Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) Gen Edward Katumba Wamala has Tuesday appeared before the Parliamentary Appointments Committee for vetting for the Ministerial appointment to serve as State Minister for Works.
Speaking to the media after the vetting process, the former CDF said he had no intentions of stepping down from the army so as to take up the Ministerial post as some MPs were arguing; since he is protected by the UPDF Act.
“Article 38 of the UPDF Act allows any serving soldier to be seconded to serve at any government body, ministry or agency; so I can’t resign from the army. I will continue to serve in the army as well as conduct my Ministerial duties,” Gen. Katumba said.
However, Article 208(2) of Uganda’s Constitution dictates that the UPDF shall be non-partisan, national in character, patriotic, professional, disciplined, productive and subordinate to civilian authority.
The late Gen. Aronda Nyakayirima was the first serving army officer to be appointed for a Ministerial post in 2013 which set a new precedence.
Asked whether he will be able to avoid being implicated in any corruption scandal since the Ministry he is being appointed to has been famous for corruption, Wamala noted that he has all the capacity to avoid such temptations.
“All the Ministries that have been working have all had temptations to do with money but now as a Minister, you very well know that I am not the accounting officer and I am not involved in any contracts negotiations,” Wamala said.
“It is very easy to avoid such temptations as long as you avoid being involved and I have no doubts I will be able to avoid it.”