Parliament’s Director for Communications and Public Affairs Chris Obore, who has been on forced leave since 2019, celebrated the downfall of Rebecca Kadaga, and the election of Speaker Jacob Oulanyah and her deputy Anita Among by telling all and sundry “we are now in things.”
A visibly drunk Obore is seen in a video to celebrate Among’s election with a lot of excitement.
With tables turning against Kadaga, it is hoped that Obore will return to his job as Director of Communications and Public Affairs.
Obore had been hired in 2015, only to be sent on forced leave in 2019.
In September 2019, Jane Kibirige, the Clerk of Parliament wrote to Obore, informing him: “I have been directed to inform you to take your accumulated leave with immediate effect.”
More orders followed, with Obore being told to stay away from his office even when he has completed his 140 days of accumulated leave.
Kibirige informed him to only return after receiving a call from Parliament.
That call is yet to come.
Obore’s lawyers of Kampala Associated Advocates had protested the move to send their client on leave, citing Public Service Standing Orders, under which Obore should have forfeited his leave days that he had not taken during particular calendar years or should have had his request to carry them forward approved by December 15, 2018.
In March 2019, Kibirige had informed Obore the IGG had raised concerns over his recruitment, saying it flouted Parliamentary Service (Staff) Regulations, 2001.
Obore had challenged a move by Parliament to terminate his contract based on the IGG’s report.
His lawyers of Kampala Associated Advocates had sought an injunction restraining Parliament from firing Obore pending a ruling on his petition.
The order blocking Obore’s sacking was issued in April 2019.
But Kadaga would send Obore on forced leave until further notice, assigning his duties to Helen Kaweesa.
Now, it looks like Obore is set to return to his job.
