By Joseph Mary Buwule
KAMPALA, UGANDA — Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa has cautioned parliamentary staff and Members of Parliament against seeking his intervention or that of the Speaker over the ongoing staff validation and verification exercise.
Tayebwa said employees whose employment records and supporting documents are genuine should have no reason to fear the exercise, urging staff to cooperate with the verification team by presenting the required documents.
The Deputy Speaker made the remarks during Tuesday afternoon’s plenary sitting, where he disclosed that he had been receiving calls from individuals seeking assistance regarding the verification process.
Tayebwa questioned why an employee whose records are in order would need to contact parliamentary leaders when asked to present basic documents required to establish their employment status.
“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 said the exercise requires staff to provide documents such as appointment letters, academic certificates and national identification cards, which are necessary for authorities to confirm the authenticity and accuracy of employment records.
Tayebwa said employees with genuine documents should instead use the verification exercise as an opportunity to have their records properly validated.
“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.
MPs cautioned against intervention
Tayebwa also appealed to MPs not to intervene on behalf of staff members whose employment documentation may not meet the required standards.
He said political or administrative intervention would not change the requirements of the verification exercise, particularly where an employee is unable to provide the documents required to authenticate their employment.
“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,” Tayebwa told legislators.
The remarks are expected to reinforce the Parliament leadership’s position that the exercise should be conducted on the basis of official records and documentary evidence rather than individual interventions.
Exercise to validate staff records
Parliament is undertaking the validation and verification exercise as part of efforts to examine staff employment records and establish the authenticity of documents submitted during recruitment and subsequent career progression.
The exercise involves checking key employment and academic records, including appointment letters, academic qualifications and national identification documents.
The verification is also expected to help Parliament establish whether employees are serving in positions and departments that correspond with their qualifications, experience and official records.
According to the assurances given to staff, the exercise is not intended to target particular individuals but is aimed at strengthening the integrity of Parliament’s human-resource records.
Speaker assures staff
Tayebwa reiterated the assurance given by Speaker Jacob Marksons Oboth during his meeting with parliamentary staff on Monday that employees whose documents are genuine should not be apprehensive about the exercise.
The Speaker reportedly explained that similar validation and verification exercises have been conducted in other government institutions and should therefore not be viewed as an initiative targeting particular members of staff.
The exercise is also intended to ensure that parliamentary employees are properly assigned to departments and positions that correspond with their academic qualifications, professional experience and areas of competence.
The Parliament leadership has consequently urged staff to cooperate with the exercise and provide the required documentation rather than seeking political intervention.
Tayebwa’s warning signals a firm position by Parliament’s leadership that the verification process should be allowed to proceed independently, with employment status determined by official records and documentary evidence.
He maintained that staff with authentic appointment letters, valid academic qualifications and proper identification documents have nothing to fear and should simply comply with the verification requirements.