Zawedde questioned how it could be possible that the new tyres had worn out in two weeks when the car had hardly covered 200 KM within that period. However, the most shocking part is that the minister wanted the ‘tyres’ in cash, which is improper.
She stood her ground and the minister started badmouthing her before the president whenever a chance presented itself.
When this failed, the minister enlisted allies in the media industry and commissioners and directors at the ministry to fight Zawedde.
One of the directors was told by the minister that he would lobby the president to ensure that he replaces Zawedde.
Through political experience, the minister knew that if the volume of negative stories on Zawedde increased, may be the president may be forced to act because it would project a bad image.
“That is why some media houses have joined in the fight,” said one of our sources. “They don’t want to cross check the information they are given because they know the truth will embarrass them.”
We have been told that some media houses, especially the news websites, have been given up to Shs 1 million per negative story on Zawedde.
In fact, from the tone and flow of the stories, one can tell that they are written from a central point and then distributed to the news outlets to publish. The coordinator of the project is a prominent personality in the media.
“It is a well-orchestrated, well-oiled machine,” our source said.
For now, Zawedde, according to our sources has decided to keep quiet and let those who are fighting her take the limelight.
“She knows what she is doing is right. She also knows that she may lose the battle but not the bigger war,” said the source.
Who is Zawedde?
Dr Zawedde has served as the Permanent Secretary of the ICT Ministry since July 15, 2022.
She holds a PhD from Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands, an MSc. in Computer Science from Makerere University.
She holds a PGDip in Educational Technologies from the University of Cape Town, South Africa, a PGD in Education from the Islamic University in Uganda, and a BSc. in Statistics and Economics from Makerere University.
