Ugandans have expressed in shock after coming across a letter purportedly written by President Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni appointing a senior presidential advisor in charge of Ankole cows.
The president will pay this new senior special advisor on indigenous cattle a salary bigger than what he pays most scientists, some of whom were celebrating a salary increment very recently.
It all began when Dr Nassan Tandekwire Mutembeya wrote to Gen Museveni on May 25, 2022, asking him for permission to bring Qataris to his Kisozi Farm so that they would learn about the Ankole long-horned cattle.
Dr Tandekwire told Museveni that the Qataris were planning to visit the Kisozi Farm in September or August 2022.
“I have received your letter of the 25 of May, 2022, regarding bringing the Qataris to Kisozi in August or September, 2022, to know about the Ankole cattle,” Gen Museveni confirmed receipt of Dr Tandekwire’s letter in a reply sent out on July 31, 2022.
He then directed his daughter Diana Kamuntu Kyaremeera to help arrange the visit of the Qataris.
“By copy of this letter, I am informing our daughter, Mrs. Diana Kamuntu to co-ordinate with you to arrange for the Qataris,” wrote Museveni in a letter copied to Minister of Presidency Milly Babirye Babalanda; State House Comptroller Jane Barekye; Principal Private Secretary Dr Kenneth Omona Olusegun, and Mrs Diana Kamuntu Kyaremeera (the president’s daughter).
But the president insisted that these Qataris should inject their money in banks so that Ugandans can get cheaper loans.
He also barred the Qataris from coming to his farms.
Gen Museveni also appointed Ambassador Dr Rashid Semuddu as Uganda’s special envoy to Qatar.
He also appointed Dr Tandekwore as Senior Presidential Advisor on Indigenous cattle. This is an addition to the many of Museveni’s advisors. Months ago, Museveni met his advisors and advised them. (Read Story Here).
Museveni’s Senior Presidential Advisor on Indigenous Cattle will earn Shs15m every month.
“By copy of this letter, again, I designate Ambassador Dr. Rashid Semuddu as Special Envoy to Qatar and I appoint Dr. Nassan Tandekwiire as Senior Presidential Advisor on Indigenous cattle with a salary — personal to holder of shs. 15 million,” wrote Museveni, who is on record for saying he earns Shs3.6m per month.
Pocketing Shs15m per month, Dr Tandekwire will be a few months away from Uganda’s top 25 most highly paid government employees, according to this financial year’s salary structure. (See List of Most Highly Paid Government Employees, and the New Salary Structure Here and There).
The contents of this letter, if genuine, will be even more shocking to Ugandans who just a few weeks ago saw another letter in which Gen Museveni was directing Prime Minister Nabbanja to save Mogas petrol stations’ boss Geoffrey Rugazoora who is reportedly choking on debts. (Read Story Here).