Prudent decision: Geraldine Ssali’s courage deserves applause

In a political landscape too often clouded by questionable decisions and controversies, it’s truly refreshing to witness a public servant with the courage to make choices in the best interest of the nation, even when those choices are met with resistance.

Geraldine Ssali, the accounting officer of the ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, found herself at the centre of a storm for a decision that, in retrospect, deserves our utmost appreciation.

Ssali’s resolve to invest Shs 6 billion in renovating the government-owned Farmers House instead of opting for costly private premises was not only a fiscally responsible move but also a testament to her unwavering dedication to the welfare of the nation.

This decision ended up saving the government Shs 2 billion that would otherwise have been squandered on private rent. In an era where responsible resource allocation is paramount, Ssali’s choice was a commendable stride towards fiscal prudence.

Yet, her decision was not without its share of detractors. Some members of parliament, particularly those on the committee of Tourism, Trade and Industry chaired by Mwine Mpaka, had initially recommended Ssali’s interdiction and prosecution, alleging that she had inflated the renovation costs of Farmers House and failed to adhere to established procedures.

They painted her decision as a corrupt act, driven by personal interests. It later became evident that their stance was influenced by undisclosed agendas. Subsequently, the secretary to the Treasury, Ramadhan Ggoobi, stripped her of her role as the accounting officer at the ministry of Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives based on the parliament’s recommendation.

Notably, both the secretary to the Treasury, Ramadhan Ggoobi, and the Solicitor General had previously given their approval for Ssali’s plan to revamp Farmers House, a fact conveniently ignored by those who sought to discredit her. On June 2, 2023, the secretary to the Treasury backed Ssali’s decision to renovate instead of renting, and on June 14, the Solicitor General cleared the draft contract for the repair of Farmers House.

These actions underscore the meticulous consideration and due diligence that underpinned Ssali’s decision. President Yoweri Museveni has now issued an order for her reinstatement. President Museveni’s decision to reinstate Geraldine Ssali as the accounting officer of the ministry of Trade, industry, and Cooperatives is a welcome move that sends a resounding message.

It signals the government’s unwavering support for civil servants who make challenging yet principled decisions for the nation’s betterment. Ssali’s case should serve as a rallying point for other high-ranking civil servants to prioritize the national interest above personal or political gains.

In a heartening display of independent journalism, The Observer published an editorial in July, commending Ssali’s decision with the statement, “We applaud Geraldine Ssali’s prudent resource allocation” (July 12).

It serves as a reminder that there are voices in the media that stand firmly on the side of justice, acknowledging actions that benefit the public rather than personal interests.

The MPs who hastily challenged Ssali’s decision should take a moment for introspection. Their pursuit of taxpayers’ money for private rent, motivated by undisclosed personal interests, should indeed be a source of embarrassment.

The government bears a responsibility to prudently manage public funds, and Ssali’s decision epitomized this responsibility. We need more dedicated public servants like Geraldine Ssali—those who possess the courage to make challenging decisions, grounded in evidence and driven by the best interests of the nation