The Parliamentary Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) has petitioned the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance following the recent appointment of John Musinguzi Rujoki as the Commissioner General, Uganda Revenue Authority (URA).
In a letter signed by COSASE Vice Chairperson Ibrahim Kasozi, the committee wants the Minister of ICT Judith Nabakooba to relieve of Musinguzi Rujoki’s duties as NITA-U board chairperson- a position he is holding up to date despite his appointment as URA Commissioner General in March 2020.
Kasozi in his petition says that Rujoki cannot hold the position of URA CG as well as NITA-U Board chairperson thus raising issues of conflict of interest.
Section 5 of the NITA-U Act, 2009 mandates NITA-U to amongst others, regulate and enforce standards for information technology in all government Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
“This puts the role of new Commissioner General in direct conflict with that of Board Chair as Uganda Revenue Authority is under direct regulation and supervision of NITA-U for information technology matters,” the letter reads.
On the other hand, Section 9(3) of the Uganda Revenue Authority Act requires that the Commissioner General of URA devote his or her full time to the duties of his or her office and shall not engage in any other business, profession, occupation or paid employment elsewhere.
To avoid any conflict of interest and accountability issues, COSASE wants the Ministry of ICT to urgently appoint a new NITA-U board chairperson, replacing Rujoki. Apparently, ICT Minister Judith Nakabooba has written to the Attorney General for legal advice in regards to this matter.
Rujoki was appointed NITA-U Board chairperson on August 2019. He is also the Senior Presidential advisor on ICT and Investment.