I’m Going No Where! War of Titans At Ministry Of Works As Kataike Refuses To Hand Over Office

A fresh administrative standoff has erupted at the Ministry of Works and Transport (MoWT) after the ministry’s communications chief, Ms. Suzan Kataike, reportedly refused to hand over office to her new replacement despite a government decision to reshuffle communications officers.

As reported by TheSpy Uganda last week, Ms.Khadija Nakakande, formerly head of Communications and Public Relations at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, was scheduled to take over from Kataike effective Monday, October 5, 2026, in a wider reshuffle of government communications officers.

Nakakande reported for work on Monday at the Ministry of Works and Transport and started work as Principal Communications Officer, but Kataike reportedly declined to hand over the office, causing drama at the ministry.

Sources at the ministry told TheSpy that Kataike has instead appealed to the highest office in the land (president), seeking intervention to reverse the transfer.

The development has reportedly created tension at the ministry, where the new Minister of Works and Transport, Fred Byamukama, is understood to have pushed for changes in the communications structure.

Byamukama has previously expressed concern about what he described as an “old stock” of officials at the ministry, accusing some unnamed individuals of collaborating with what he called “mafias” and “thieves.” He did not, however, name the individuals he was referring to.

The minister has also since overseen actions that have resulted in the arrest of some ministry staff, further fuelling speculation about an internal clean-up.

Meanwhile, the communications reshuffle has affected other staff. Allan Sempebwa reportedly handed over his responsibilities to Emmanuel Ainebyona, who has been transferred from the Ministry of Health to the Ministry of Works and Transport. Sempebwa has, in turn, moved to the Ministry of Health.

Kataike is reportedly expected to move to the Ministry of Justice, but sources say she has declined to take up the new assignment pending the outcome of her appeal.

This is reportedly not the first time Kataike has resisted a transfer. In November 2025, she was transferred from the Ministry of Works and Transport to the Ministry of East African Affairs but allegedly resisted the move, reportedly describing the latter as a “dry” ministry.

She subsequently appealed to the relevant authorities and remained at the Ministry of Works and Transport.

The latest standoff therefore presents Minister Byamukama with a second attempt to reorganise the ministry’s communications department.

Whether the latest transfer will stand, or whether Kataike will once again succeed in overturning the decision, now rests with the higher authorities to whom she has reportedly appealed.

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