The New Vision

Tibaruha ordered to give IGG file

Publication date: Wednesday, 2nd June, 2004

Prof. Apolo Nsibambi

By Yunusu Abbey

PRIME Minister Prof. Apolo Nsibambi has directed the Solicitor General, Lucien Tibaruha, to surrender to the Inspector General of Government (IGG) a file on the sh13b payment to local businessman James Musinguzi.

Yesterday, Nsibambi also asked Tibaruha to explain why he has been hesitant to give the file to the IGG, Jotham Tumwesigye.
The IGG’s office has subsequently suspended an arrest warrant which had been issued against Tibaruha following Nsibambi’s intervention.
The file had information on which Musinguzi was to be paid sh13b as compensation for his ranch in Rakai. Government gave it out to settlers.

Sources said President Yoweri Museveni had also intervened in the matter, but there was no independent confirmation of the reports by last evening.
Dated June 1, Nsibambi’s letter reads, “I have read embarrassing statements in the newspapers to the effect that the IGG has issued an arrest warrant against you for having disobeyed his request that you hand him a file on the intended payment of sh13 billion to Mr. James Musinguzi, a local businessman.”

“The purpose of this letter is to direct you to surrender the file to the IGG. You are requested to indicate to me the reasons why you have been hesitant to surrender the file to the IGG.
“I wish to appeal to the IGG that in future, when he has a major problem with a minister or a senior public servant such as a Permanent Secretary, he should feel free to contact me so that I may resolve the matter while it is fresh.
“I have given this advice being aware that under Article 227 of our Constitution, the IGG is independent in the performance of his or her functions. My advice is intended to promote harmony between the different arms of the State,” the letter said.
“We must not give the mass media an opportunity to publish major internal disagreements which can be resolved amicably,” Nsibambi added.

The letter was copied to the President, Vice-President and justice and constitutional affairs minister.
Tumwesigye is out of the country. But deputy IGG David Psomgen said last evening they would not pursue the arrest because of Nsibambi’s directive.
“Since he (Tibaruha) has now been directed by higher authorities, we expect him to surrender the file anytime,” Psomgen said.
He said by close of Government business yesterday, Tibaruha had not yet sent the file to their office. “He was busy in a meeting the whole day, maybe that’s why he hasn’t brought it yet,” he said.

A member of Maj. Kakooza Mutale’s team said they were withdrawing the soldiers guarding Tibaruha. Mutale deployed the soldiers to block the IGG from arresting Tibaruha, saying his arrest would cause a constitutional crisis.

This article can be found on-line at: http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/12/363701