Soroti University finally has a new University Secretary. The University council has appointed Mr. Oloya Stephen as the new University Secretary and accounting officer replacing the jailed pioneer accounting officer Ms. Ruth Achimo.
Soroti University early this year advertised for the position of the accounting officer after the then pioneer University Secretary Ms Ruth Achimo was convicted and imprisoned. The position fell vacant after Ms. Achimo was charged in the courts of law and interdicted over four years ago.
The University then recruited the Deputy University Secretary Mr. Abdallah Shaban Oyare who has been in acting capacity as university secretary for the last three years.
The appointment of Mr. Oloya Stephen comes after he emerged as the best candidate after a vigorous and extensive recruitment process to source the most qualified person. This ends over four years wait when Soroti University was operating without a substantive University Secretary.
During the handover of office today the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge Finance and Administration Mr. Lawrence Too-Kema welcomed the new University Secretary saying it is the first time the University is witnessing a normal transition of the accounting officer.
The Vice Chancellor Soroti University in his welcome remarks thanked Oloya for accepting the job saying Soroti University is not a personal University or tribal but a national University adding that jobs here are not given through the back doors.
He advised the accounting officer to forget about the politics and take charge of the institution and raise the level of the University saying that Soroti University is a corruption free environment.
While handing over office to the incoming University Secretary, the Deputy University Secretary Mr. Abdallah Oyare Shaban thanked top management for the support accorded to him in the last three years he has been acting University Secretary and asked management to accord all the necessary support to the new accounting officer.
The Deputy University Secretary Mr. Oyare Shaban handing over instruments of power to the incoming University secretary Mr. Oloya Stephen. (Photo by Nyene Juma Hassan)
Mr. Oloya Stephen in his acceptance speech pledged to work with everybody to deliver the mandate of the University. Am happy to join the winning team and promised to work with utmost transparency, integrity, teamwork while upholding ethical standards.
Members of management in a group photo after the handover ceremony in the University boardroom today (Photo by Nyene Juma Hassan)
Mr Oloya started his career in the government of Uganda with Ministry of local government in 1999 as Assistant Chief Administrative officer in Gulu, he rose through the ranks and in 2012 was elevated to deputy chief administrative officer, in 2014 while still deputy chief administrative officer was made the accounting officer. In 2017, Mr. Oloya Stephen was appointed as the Chief Administrative Officer. His last posting with Ministry of Local government was as Chief Administrative Officer of Yumbe district.
In his over 24 years’ working experience with local government Mr. Oloya Stephen holds Bachelor of Arts Social Sciences from Makerere University, Diploma in Public Administration and Management from Uganda Management Institute, Master of Business Administration and Management from Nkozi University and Bachelor of Laws degree among other academic awards.
Mr. Oloya brings in a wealth of good management practices, a befitting credentials to Soroti University to Inspire and Innovate.