The latest information reaching our desk reveals that former Head of Public Service and Secretary to the cabinet Dr John Mitala has died.

Dr Mitala, who served in public service for nearly 50 years is said to have died on Friday evening after spending months in hospital. The cause of his death remains unclear, although some family members cited foul play in his sickness.

Mitala retired from public service last year after he was left out of the cabinet in a reshuffle made by President Museveni in July 2021

In September 2021, he handed over office to Ms Lucy Nakyobe, the former State House comptroller who Museveni appointed to succeed him as Secretary to the Cabinet.

During the handover, Presidency Minister Milly Babalanda hailed Mitala as a distinguished civil servant, who had left a trail of being incorruptible.

“Your outstanding performance will be remembered for a very long time in the Public Service of Uganda and generally in the East African Community. You have exhibited the highest qualities of a civil servant – a true proponent of the civil service and code of ethics,” Ms Babalanda said.

Babalanda said unlike many civil servants who look at government jobs as means of getting rich, Mitala’s name had never been cited in any corruption scandal.

“Many Ugandans believe that serving in a public office means enriching oneself with quick monies. However, for the time that I have known you, sir, I have not heard your name in any public scandal. I want you, and request you to maintain this level of integrity for the remaining part of your service to humanity,” the minister added.

Mitala joined the civil service on May 25 1973 working in the ministry of Gender Labour and Social Development where he was for 19 years.

He later served as Deputy Head of the Public Service Commission and Judicial Service Commission, then as Deputy Head of Public Service and Secretary for Administration from 1998 up to 2002.

He was then appointed as the Head of the Public Service and Secretary to the Cabinet, a position he held until his formal retirement in July 2021.