Xavier Radio Ug News 24 7
A fresh wave of drama has erupted inside the Ministry of Works and Transport after the Head of Public Service, Lucy Nakyobe, reportedly ordered a halt to the transfer of long-serving Principal Communications Officer Susan Kataike.
Kataike, who has served at Works for nearly 20 years, had been instructed by ICT Permanent Secretary Dr. Aminah Zawedde to take up a new posting at the Ministry of East African Community Affairs. But the seasoned communications officer allegedly refused to move, triggering threats of disciplinary action and a behind-the-scenes scramble to either push her out—or protect her turf.
According to highly placed sources, the stalemate intensified when Foreign Affairs Minister Gen. Jeje Odongo—described by insiders as a “close ally” of Kataike—allegedly intervened.
Sources say the General bluntly told top officials that “Kataike is not going anywhere,” a stance that stalled internal attempts to force her relocation.
The row was then escalated to Public Service chief Lucy Nakyobe, who, after considering the escalating tensions, advised the Works and ICT PSs to stay the transfer pending further consultations.
Inside the Ministry of Works, whispers suggest that a newly arrived official—posted to the ministry after the government-wide rationalisation process that returned UNRA to its mother ministry—is allegedly eyeing Kataike’s coveted position.
An insider claims the official has been quietly coordinating with actors in the ICT ministry in hopes of clearing Kataike out of the way.
“It’s that boy S** paying people because he wants her [Kataike] job,” one source alleged, insisting the internal manoeuvres are far from over and they will soon expose the official whose identity we are withholding for now.
“Soon, he will be the one to leave the Works Ministry of he can’t work under Susan.”
More explosive details on this in our subsequent publication.
The Ministry of ICT, under PS Zawedde, last year adopted a new centralised structure for government communications. The reform gives ICT the authority to recruit, supervise, transfer, or redeploy communications officers across all MDAs, just like other mainstream civil service cadres.
A reshuffle began in July 2024, with several officers already transferred—and several others resisting or appealing their deployments.
The Kataike standoff now threatens to become the biggest test of the new system.
With Public Service stepping in, Gen. Odongo weighing in, ICT insisting on policy, and rivals allegedly circling her position, the future of Susan Kataike’s seat at the Ministry of Works remains uncertain.
About Post Author
Post navigation
