Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa says parliamentary employees with genuine academic and employment records should have nothing to fear as a four-day verification exercise examines recruitment procedures, qualifications and promotions.
Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa has urged Members of Parliament and parliamentary staff to stop seeking his or Speaker Jacob Marksons Oboth’s intervention in an ongoing staff verification exercise, saying employees with authentic employment and academic documents have no reason to fear scrutiny.
Tayebwa said he had received calls from people concerned about the exercise, questioning why staff with genuine records would need political leaders to help them comply with a requirement to present appointment letters, academic qualifications and national identity cards.
The exercise comes as Parliament examines staff records to establish the authenticity of documents used in recruitment and whether employees’ qualifications and experience correspond with the positions they occupy.
The four-day exercise began on Monday, October 19, and is being conducted with support from the Ministry of Public Service. It covers employees across Parliament, from the Clerk to Parliament and senior officials to administrative and support staff.
The review follows reports that more than 300 employees were recruited during the 11th Parliament without following established procedures.
The allegations have prompted Parliament’s new leadership to scrutinise recruitment records, academic credentials and staff career progression.
The verification exercise is expected to establish the facts, although the reported irregularities have not all been confirmed.
Parliament had earlier directed staff to submit academic records and details of their employment history, including promotions and postings, as part of a broader review of qualifications and career progression.
The exercise is also examining whether employees’ qualifications and experience match their current positions, whether recruitment procedures were followed and whether staff on the payroll are physically present and performing their assigned duties.
During Tuesday’s plenary sitting, Tayebwa said the Speaker had met staff on Monday and assured them that those whose documents were in order should not be worried.
“The exercise for validation and verification of staff is going on. On Monday the Right Honourable Speaker met all staff and assured them that if their papers are okay, there’s no need to worry,” Tayebwa said.
He questioned why employees asked to produce basic employment documents would turn to parliamentary leaders for help.
“I am receiving calls right now, but if at verification they are asking for your appointment letter, they’re asking for your academic documents, your national ID, now why do you call a Speaker to help you? And why would you be worried?” he asked.
Tayebwa also urged MPs not to shield employees whose documents may be questionable, arguing that political intervention would not resolve deficiencies in their records.
“And honourable colleagues, if you know that the person calling you, the papers are not okay, and which we don’t think may be there, I would advise they take a short cut,” he told legislators.
His remarks came a day after Oboth sought to calm staff fears, saying the exercise was not intended to force employees out of their jobs.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Speaker said he had sought assistance from the Head of Public Service to ensure fairness and transparency, adding that the Parliamentary Service was part of the wider public service.
Oboth said the process was intended to restore integrity, merit and order within Parliament, urging employees to continue working as the verification proceeds.
Parliamentary Commissioner and Human Resources Committee chairperson Susan Abeja has outlined possible outcomes where discrepancies are established. She said employees found with forged academic documents could be dismissed, while those whose promotions were not supported by their qualifications or experience could be reassigned to suitable positions.
The review is expected to conclude on Thursday, October 22, after covering the institution’s departments and offices.
Its findings will help the Parliamentary Commission determine whether staff records and appointments comply with the required standards.