The Managing Director of Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) Winston Agaba has distanced himself from the existence of up to four ghost workers on the national broadcaster’s payroll.
Winston Agaba expressed his innocence while appearing before Parliament’s Committee of Commissions, Statutory Authorities & State Enterprises (COSASE) with other UBC staff on Monday afternoon.
The four ghost employees drew salaries from the broadcaster without doing any work. However, Agaba confirmed that they were discontinued following notification by the Ministry of Public Service. The ministry discovered this discrepancy as they undertook a national audit that revealed that the government loses billions of shillings to ghost workers.
The MPs led by their chairperson Medard Ssegona (Busiro East) also tasked the UBC management to explain why they operated three different payrolls where staff did the same roles, but were paid differently.
UBC management grilled
“My biggest concern especially with UBC is that you seem to maintain three payrolls. You have one where you may call a permanent establishment and those you pay with Government money. Additionally, you also have those you pay from your own sources. But you are one entity, doesn’t this bring about discrimination among your employees? The way you pay them, the terms and conditions of their service?” -Medard Ssegona asked.
Additionally, the committee requested the officials to avail full accountability of the funds UBC lost to the ghost workers.
“At the time of harmonizing the headcount by Public Service, it was also at the time that we were notified that some people were on the payroll of other agencies. And that has been rectified, we terminated those that were on our side. The IGG has since interested herself in the matter. So the IGG came and is handling that matter.” Winston Agaba said.
After an exchange with the MPs, the UBC officials revealed the identity of the ghost workers. These include Yosam Rugundana who is a Deputy Head Teacher in Nakasongola. Ssempa Kanakulya is an employee at the State House. Another is Patrick Baligonzaki, an employee at Busitema University. The fourth and only individual being investigated by the Inspector General of Government is Christine Birungi Birabwa.
