Kampala, (UG):- Uganda Electoral Commission’s Head of Human Resource Management, James B. Niwamanya has called it quits at the electoral body amid investigations into the alleged sexual harassment of his female junior staff.
According to local reports, Niwamanya, who has been at the country’s electoral body for over 15 years chose to throw in the towel after reports pinning him for the sexual harassment leaked to the media over the past weeks.
Prompted by the gravity of the accusations, the Commission swiftly initiated an internal probe to investigate the claims thoroughly and Niwamanya was advised to step aside to allow the law to take its course.
And now, before investigations could even conclude, the embattled Niwamanya resolved to prematurely resign before the expiry of his current contract.
In a formal letter addressed to the Secretary of the Electoral Commission Leonard Mulekwah, dated March 15, 2024, Niwamanya officially announced his intention to take early retirement from his position, choosing Monday, March 18, as his last day of work at the commission.
“This serves to inform you that I am taking early retirement from the position of Head, Human Resource Management of the Electoral Commission with effect from 18th March 2024,” Niwamanya said in the letter, a copy of which DailyExpress has seen.
Citing personal reasons and a desire for inner peace, Niwamanya expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve in his role for fifteen years.
“The decision has been reached and taken after consultation with my immediate family and in consideration of my quest for inner peace, which I may not realize with continued service,” he said.
“I therefore want to express my sincere gratitude to the Commission, Management and the entire Electoral Commission fraternity for not only offering me the opportunity to serve in this very challenging responsibility which I believe I did to the best of my capability. It has been a very good fifteen years of my career in the Commission which I will never forget,” he added.
However, this publication understands that behind the veil of cordiality in his resignation letter lay the shadow of the ongoing investigation. It is understood that Niwamanya’s decision to resign came amid mounting pressure and scrutiny as the internal probe delved deeper into allegations of misconduct under his leadership.
Despite being interdicted from his duties to avoid jeopardizing the integrity of the investigation, Niwamanya chose to preemptively end his tenure at the Electoral Commission.
Niwamanya’s abrupt resignation sent shockwaves through the Electoral Commission, prompting reflections on workplace culture and the mechanisms in place to address allegations of misconduct.
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