Police to probe Jinja officials
May 21, 2007
MPS on the local government accounts committee yesterday asked the Police to probe the Jinja municipal town clerk, David Kigenyi and treasurer George Waibi for failure to account for over sh500m allegedly spent from 2000 to 2005.
By Paul Kiwuuwa
MPS on the local government accounts committee yesterday asked the Police to probe the Jinja municipal town clerk, David Kigenyi and treasurer George Waibi for failure to account for over sh500m allegedly spent from 2000 to 2005.
The committee chaired by Geoffrey Ekanya also directed the officials to write to the local government, finance and public service ministries and the committee, explaining their failure to account for the funds.
Kigenyi, Waibi and senior accountant James Okiring had appeared before the committee to respond to queries raised by the Auditor General for the financial years, 2000/01 to 2004/05.
The MPs were surprised to find out that the municipality paid sh24m in cash to M/s Hippo Technical Services to rehabilitate roads.
Ekanya explained: “It is contrary to the local government accounting regulations to honour cash payments for services rendered to municipalities.â€
“We suspect fraud. Why didn’t the treasurer pay or prepare a bank draft or use an electronic fund transfer system?â€
The committee then wrote a letter stopping commercial banks from honouring cash payments to companies which render services to municipalities and local governments.
The MPs also wondered why sh53m personal advances were not recovered from staff of the municipality.
“The law states that all personal advances must be recovered within the financial year they were advanced,†emphasised MP Anthony Iga.
The MPs also queried sh7.5m allegedly embezzled by Musomoka, the headteacher of Mpumudde East Primary School. Kigenyi, however, clarified that he interdicted Musomoka and deducted part of his salary to reclaim the money.
Unconvinced, the MPs demanded evidence of the termination and statements from the Police.
“We don’t entertain stories. Where are the letters confirming his interdiction?†Emma Bonna asked.
The legislators also directed the officials to refund sh32m borrowed from Jinja mayor’s charity fund. The money was reportedly used for unbudgeted items.
MPS on the local government accounts committee yesterday asked the Police to probe the Jinja municipal town clerk, David Kigenyi and treasurer George Waibi for failure to account for over sh500m allegedly spent from 2000 to 2005.
The committee chaired by Geoffrey Ekanya also directed the officials to write to the local government, finance and public service ministries and the committee, explaining their failure to account for the funds.
Kigenyi, Waibi and senior accountant James Okiring had appeared before the committee to respond to queries raised by the Auditor General for the financial years, 2000/01 to 2004/05.
The MPs were surprised to find out that the municipality paid sh24m in cash to M/s Hippo Technical Services to rehabilitate roads.
Ekanya explained: “It is contrary to the local government accounting regulations to honour cash payments for services rendered to municipalities.â€
“We suspect fraud. Why didn’t the treasurer pay or prepare a bank draft or use an electronic fund transfer system?â€
The committee then wrote a letter stopping commercial banks from honouring cash payments to companies which render services to municipalities and local governments.
The MPs also wondered why sh53m personal advances were not recovered from staff of the municipality.
“The law states that all personal advances must be recovered within the financial year they were advanced,†emphasised MP Anthony Iga.
The MPs also queried sh7.5m allegedly embezzled by Musomoka, the headteacher of Mpumudde East Primary School. Kigenyi, however, clarified that he interdicted Musomoka and deducted part of his salary to reclaim the money.
Unconvinced, the MPs demanded evidence of the termination and statements from the Police.
“We don’t entertain stories. Where are the letters confirming his interdiction?†Emma Bonna asked.
The legislators also directed the officials to refund sh32m borrowed from Jinja mayor’s charity fund. The money was reportedly used for unbudgeted items.