Mutebile to face cabinet over Basajja payments

By Henry Sekanjako and John Odyek

The NRM Parliamentary caucus has directed the governor Bank of Uganda Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebile to face the cabinet sub -committee to address issues relating to the Public Accounts committee (PAC) report on governments' compensation to business tycoons Hassan Basajabalaba and Col. John Mugenyi.

In its report, PAC recommended that Mutebile be held personally responsible for the loss government incurred and that he be relieved of his duties.

According to a statement released by the Uganda Media Centre Tuesday, the NRM caucus meeting at Entebbe State House on Monday resolved that Mutebile avails himself before the committee to explain his role regarding Basajjabalaba's compensation to manage Kampala Markets.

Mutebile was unable to meet the cabinet sub-committee because he was out of the country on official duties.
The cabinet sub-committee is chaired by defense minister Crispus Kiyonga. Other members of the committee include Ministers Ruhakana Rugunda (ICT), Adolf Mwesigye (local government), Fred Ruhindi (deputy attorney general), Third Prime Minister Moses Ali, Muruli Mukasa (security) and NRM MP David Bahati.

Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi Tuesday asked Parliament for more days to allow the sub committee meet Mutebile and other senior government officials mentioned in the PAC report on compensation to HABA Group of Companies Ltd and Rhino Investments Ltd.

Mbabazi said Kiyonga was due to travel to London with President Yoweri Museveni for a one day summit on Somalia and they would return immediately to talk to Mutebile.

The Premier told Parliament that by next week, the subcommittee would have met Mutebile and come up with a recommendation to bring to the House on Tuesday.

Last week former ministers Khiddu Makubuya and Syda Bumba took political responsibility and resigned their ministerial positions for their role in Basajabalaba compensation deal.

The two were implicated by the PAC report for abuse of their offices.
The statement said that the NRM Parliamentary caucus was cognizant of the fact that anti-corruption crusades are a manifestation of the NRM Party's commitment to fighting corruption, seen in the set up and support to Institutions as the PAC, Uganda Police Force, Auditor General's office, Anti-Corruption Court, and Intelligence Units as the CID.

The caucus which was addressed by the NRM Party Chairman President Yoweri Museveni said that these institutions were put by NRM although opportunists were only trying to take advantage of them. "We restored rule of law, we resurrected PAC, where was it in Amin's time, or Obote's time? Unfortunately, there are those who try to pollute our institutions," the statement quotes Museveni as saying.

Museveni noted that since the anti-corruption avenues were revived by the NRM, they would be defended, especially from opportunists who use them for fixing people, as opposed to finding the truth. "We must use these Institutions according to the law and the Constitution, not selfish gains", he added.

Museveni also reminded the Parliamentary caucus that he respects Parliament saying; "The President is not supreme. What is supreme is the Constitution; the President must act according to the constitution.  But if Parliament acts out of contempt of Parliament; it will be stopped by the courts of law''.

He called upon members of the NRM Party to live up to their historical missions and responsibilities.