IGG | KAMYA | ELECTORAL COMMISSION 

KAMPALA - The Inspector General of Government (IGG), Beti Kamya, on Friday started investigating two contested properties where the Electoral Commission (EC) seeks to relocate its offices, to pave way for the construction of a flyover. 

This followed a petition by a whistleblower, who accused the electoral body of flouting procurement procedures of competitive bidding and inflating costs of the land it intends to purchase. 

One of the properties in contention is reportedly on a wetland. 

The Inspectorate of Government (IG) team led by Kamya inspected two premises, Gems Cambridge International School, sitting on a wetland gazzated by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) at Butabika and Northpark Specialist Hospital at Bweyogerere in Wakiso. Also at the site were officials from the lands ministry and EC. 

The property at Butabika, estimated to be 18 acres, is valued at about sh111b, while the six acres at Bweyogerere is below sh50b, according to an official who preferred anonymity. 

Kamya said the EC is expected to relocate its offices to pave way for the construction of the Jinja-Kampala Expressway flyover, as well as the Standard Gauge Railway projects. 

Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) earmarked the current EC premises for the construction of the overhead road. 

Asked how long investigations will take, the IGG said the EC offices should be relocating as soon as possible to save taxpayers’ money.

“Whenever they are waiting for Government to resolve technical issues, a lot of money is paid, costing taxpayers. So, it is in everybody’s interest that the controversy is given maximum attention to pave way for road construction,” she said. 

Early this month, President Yoweri Museveni directed all concerned to logically resolve the issue because EC offices need to be vacated in order to complete the construction of the flyover.

Delay 

The EC was expected to vacate the Jinja Road premises by June 2021, but reports indicate that the acquisition of new EC offices has been delayed due to vested interests among a section of the EC officials and external lobbying.

Visit  

“I am here to have an overview so that when I am interpreting the reports, I relate it to what I have seen on the ground. I am not here to make any decision on whether the EC should buy the premises or not,” Kamya clarified while at Gems. 

She stressed that when dealing with the petition, the IG team will give its opinion based on the findings of NEMA, Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA), Solicitor General and lands ministry. 

At Gems School land there is a four-storeyed structure, sports complex, foundation block, two swimming pools and students’ hostels, while land at Bweyogerere has a four-storey hospital.

Bid 

The New Vision has learnt that the EC first advertised for bids for suitable firms in 2016 to provide office space and at the second re-advertisement, Acacia Place Limited emerged as the best-evaluated bidder. 

This sparked off complaints from the other bidders who included Simbamanyo Estates Limited, who then petitioned the PPDA and the procurement was cancelled.