Rwenzururu minister fired over sh30m dispute

By John Nzinjah

The minister for special duties in the Obusinga bwa Rwenzururu, Erisania Isingoma, popularly known as Cameroon, has been sacked over a dispute involving over sh30m.

The money is said to have been part of over sh50m reportedly released from State House on October 8, 2012.

It was intended to facilitate the travel expenses of the Omusinga, Charles Wesley Mumbere Iremangoma, to South Africa for medical treatment.

A letter dated January 3, 2013, signed by Mumbere reads: “I hereby invoke the powers entrusted in me by the constitution of the Obusinga bwa Rwenzururu to relieve you of your duties as minister for special duties with immediate effect in order to allow investigations and recovery of the money.”

“You are, therefore, required to write a handover report and submit it to the office of the Omusinga within seven days,” the letter adds.

It is alleged that Isingoma withheld sh30.7m from Mumbere when he handed over sh21m, which was part of a sh51.7m government facilitation for the king’s medical treatment.

A letter dated December 5, 2012 from State House addressed to the Omusinga reads: “This is to inform you that on October 8, 2012, State House paid $20,000 for your medical treatment abroad and it was collected by Hon. Erisania Isingoma.”

“Today, December 5, 2012, State House has paid an additional $5,000 for the same purpose and the money has been given to Mr. Bwambale Yona Kibatsi,” the letter added.

When contacted last Thursday Isingoma said: “I have no comment because I cannot divulge the secrets of the king.”