The Director of Communication and Public Affairs at Parliament, Chris Obore will have to stay out of office longer than expected after his ‘forced leave’ was extended indefinitely.
In a letter dated February 05, 2020, the Clerk to parliament Jane Kibirige has “indefinitely” extended Obore’s leave.
On September 18, 2019, Obore was locked out of office and sent on forced accumulated leave of 144days after the parliamentary Commission attempted to adopt recommendations of the Inspector General of Government (IGG) to fire him on grounds that his appointment in 2015 was illegal and contravened the Parliamentary Service (Staff) Regulations, 2001.
Whereas Obore was expected to return to office last week (beginning of February) after being on leave for 144days, the Clerk to parliament Kibirige has extended his leave indefinitely following a directive from the parliamentary commission meeting that sat on January 17, 2020.
“While awaiting to be guided on the way forward by the Commission, I have been directed to instruct you to remain away from your duties on the same terms as earlier communicated to you in my letter of 18th September, 2019 until the Commission guides accordingly,” Kibirige said in her letter.
According to Kibirige, the Deputy Clerk in charge of Corporate Affairs, Henry Waiswa will continue to manage the affairs of Department of Communication and Public Affairs.
Recently, Obore secured a temporary injunction blocking Parliament to fire him until the main application is addressed. However, the court order was not respected as the Clerk to Parliament sent him out of office on ‘accumulated leave.’
