Ekunyu, who is due for retirement on July 15, 2022, sought a promotion to enable him to access a better retirement package. However, the District Service Commission failed to conduct interviews for unknown reasons. Ekunyu opted to seek assistance from Akorikin but his pleas were not considered.
A security meeting convened by the Kapelebyong Resident District Commissioner, James Kidega on Wednesday ended prematurely following a clash between the LC V Chairperson, Francis Akorikin, and the Principle Commercial Officer, George Ekunyu over promotion.
The disagreement arose when Ekunyu openly complained over the failure of the District Service Commission to conduct interviews for the position of District Commercial Officer, a position he applied for in November 2021.
Ekunyu, who is due for retirement on July 15, 2022, sought a promotion to enable him to access a better retirement package. However, the District Service Commission failed to conduct interviews for unknown reasons. Ekunyu opted to seek assistance from Akorikin but his pleas were not considered.
He seized the opportunity during the security meeting to raise the matter before the members of the district security committee including the RDC, CAO, and the district chairperson. Prior to the meeting, Ekunyu had sent a message pleading with Akorikin for consideration for the job.
“You have not considered my appeal for the position of DCO for Kapelebyong district, our motherland! I am leaving the district with the trauma of the mind. Maybe if I knew the reasons; could it be a failure to deliver, lack of qualifications, or I’m not a citizen of Uganda?”, Ekunyu said in his text to Akorikin.
He added that Akorikin had frustrated his efforts for promotion, making him retire as a lower cadre yet he has the required qualifications. “I am processing my retirement forms but I shall live to remember this great offer for my services in Kapelebyong”, Ekunyu’s text concludes.
Ekunyu is following up on Akorikin's pledge to consider staff who inaugurated Kapelebyong district if they qualify. He said that the founding Chief Administrative Officer, Nasser Mukiibi also pledged to have the staff with qualifications considered for promotion in appreciation for their devoted service.
Ekunyu, however, notes that Akorikin and the district council went back on their words.
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When contacted, Akorikin said that the officer is misguided on the approach for promotion. He said that they didn't interview applicants for the position of Commercial Officer because the district didn’t have the resources to hire a technical officer during interviews. According to Akorikin, they need a Commissioner at the Ministry of Trade on the panel for the recruitment to be legit.
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James Kidega, the Kapelebyong RDC, says that he is instituting an inquiry into the recruitment processes in the district. He notes that the confrontation between the chairman and the commercial officer indicates that the recruitment process in the district has issues.
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During the council meeting in May, issues of recruitment and promotions emerged with counter-accusations between politicians and technical staff. The matter was adjourned to allow investigations by competent organizations.
Edward Eninu
Freelancer