Appointments Committee Kicks Out FIA Boss Asubo Over Lack of Academic Papers

By Max Patrick Ocaido

The reappointment of Sydney Asubo as Executive Director of Financial Intelligence Authority (FIA) hangs in balance after the parliamentary committee on Appointments on Thursday kicked him out of the vetting session for lack of academic papers.

According to an insider who preferred to speak on condition of anonymity, Asubo appeared before the vetting committee chaired by Speaker Rebecca Kadaga without copies of his academic documents and Curriculum Vitae (CV).

The source added that Asubo did not even have a single accountability report for the 4years he has served at the FIA. "Asubo has been sent away for not being very prepared. He did not have a CV, academic papers or even a single report for the 4years he has been at the Authority. He had come for review of his appointment but he had nothing to show," a source said.

This prompted the Committee to throw him out of the meeting for his "unseriousness" and taking the Committee for granted. Apparently, Asubo will be called back at an appropriate time when he has all the requirements. Meanwhile, the Committee proceeded to interact with FIA Deputy Executive Director Michael Olupot Tukei who was successfully vetted.

Earlier in the morning, the Committee also successfully vetted Stella Achan as a board member of the Uganda Lands Commission. The first term of office for Asubo and his deputy Olupot is set to expire on 31st August 2019. As a result, in a letter dated 21st May, 2019, Finance Minister Matia Kasaija wrote to the Speaker of Parliament informing her of the reappointment of the duo to serve for their second and last 4 year term.

Under Section 28 and 31 of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2013, both Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director of Financial Intelligence Authority are eligible for reappointment for one more statutory term of 4years. The Act also provides that the Executive Director and his Deputy shall be appointed by the minister, on recommendations of the FIA board and with the approval of Parliament.

FIA is government agency established by Parliament to monitor, investigate, and prevent money laundering in the country.