Investigate and punish Byandala - Bwanika

By Nicholas Wassajja

THE Peoples Development Party (PDP) has said that the minister for works Abraham Byandala should be suspended because the evidence and documentation in the investigation of the Mukono-Katosi Road fraud is unswervingly pointing at him. 

Speaking at a media briefing in Kampala, the PDP President Abed Bwanika said that, well as some UNRA bosses were suspended, it would be partial if the anti-corruption bodies do not move to investigate and punish Byandala.

“While the move to suspend and investigate the directors and leadership of UNRA is a welcome step, it can’t be complete without the suspension and investigation of Hon. Byandala” he said.

The former presidential candidate added that, “Byandala was behind the pressure to award this contract irregularly and sources in UNRA say that he was involved in forcing the payment to the fake company.”

Recently the UNRA governing board suspended four senior staff over the 74km Mukono-Katosi Road fraud.

In a recent comment to New Vision Byandala said; “I can’t resign for doing nothing wrong. I am innocent and with time, the truth shall set me free.” Our efforts to reach him this time were futile.

UNDER FIRE: Byandala denies any wrong doing in the contoversial Mukono-Katosi Road deal.

Bwanika cautioned government against borrowing enormous sums of money which may sale out the country if it fails to pay, citing that the $8b loan from China to upgrade Uganda’s railway network is beyond the country’s economy.

“We seem to be mortgaging the entire country to China through borrowing. It doesn’t add up if we borrow an amount that is 30% of the county’s GDP which is only $25b,” Bwanika said.

He lashed out at parliament for allowing government to borrow beyond its capacity to pay.

Bwanika noted that, “I am disappointed that parliament has not been able to make informed comments about the $8b. We expect them to not only investigate but also review and enforce debt ceiling.” 

Recently Government signed an agreement, to give away a lucrative deal worth sh20trillion to upgrade and expand Uganda’s railway network to standard gauge, to a Chinese firm China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC).