Shake-up at Immigration Dept

At least 80 employees at the Immigration Department have been relocated in what is seen as a major shake-up in an effort to fight corruption and improve efficiency.

A source at the department said management has moved staff who had overstayed at one working station after noting that there were numerous reports of corruption and abuse of office.

“I think the aim of this shake-up is to give the department a good name because there have been a lot of bad reports ranging from stealing, corruption and it was felt that some people have overstayed at one working station,” said the source.

The source said the most affected members of staff were the ones working at border posts because he said it was felt that they were the most compromised members of staff at the moment.

Added the source: “So far, at least 80 members of staff have been moved around and it’s an ongoing exercise. It seems the management are taking it as a normal thing like in many institutions that people are moved for operational efficiency.”

The department’s public relations officer Peter Kakatera confirmed the transfers in a questionnaire interview last week. He described them as normal occurrence in the duties of Immigration officers.

“As Immigration officials, we are regularly moved around and about for reasons which can come about as a result of staying in one place for too long and also so that officials can benefit from the experience of being in a different place, thereby acquiring new knowledge and skills,” said Kakatera.

Kakatera said every officer in the department was aware of the consequences of indulging in corrupt practices and that once one is caught, punitive and disciplinary action would be taken.

“The Department of Immigration would indeed like to emphasise its stance that we shall not tolerate any officer in the department to be involved in corruption,” he said.

Added Kakatera: “We would like to urge members of the public to desist from offering bribes to Immigration officials. On the other hand, we would like to encourage members of the general public to report officers who are involved in corruption.”