The Inspectorate of Government- IG has asked the Chief Administrative Officer of Kumi, Roseline Adongo Luhoni to withhold salaries of staff who constantly abscond from duty.
Rashid Ssentongo, the Senior Inspectorate in the office of the Inspectorate of Government in Eastern region says that absenteeism is affecting service delivery in the district because the technical staff expected to implement activities are not in the office.
Citing the sub counties in Kumi district, Ssentongo said that it’s very rare to find any Senior Assistant Secretaries also known as Sub County Chiefs who have worked for 15 days in a month.
He rated Nyero Town Council as the worst lower local government in Kumi where the chief has not been in office.
He tasked the CAO to step up on monitoring of the staff in lower local governments by putting in place strict guidelines including attendance books that must be collected by the district regularly.
He also cited forestry and fisheries departments among least attended offices in Kumi district.
The IG had recommended for a caution against the officers who have been common cases of absenteeism.
According Ssentongo, Uganda loses close to two trillion Shillings every year when officers fail to execute their duties because they are not in the offices.
Nelson Elungat Lakol, the district chairperson of Kumi agreed with the findings of the IG and cautioned the staff to desist from the vice.
Ahamada Washaki, the Resident District Commissioner- RDC Kumi says that the IG’s findings will help him start his work in the district.
Washaki who has just been posted Kumi says the report will enable him move around all the sub counties to monitor and recommend punitive action against staff absenting from duty in Kumi.
Martha Asekenye, the Nyero Town Council Chief pleaded with IG to pardon her as the Kumi CAO, Adongo looked on.