Makubuya fails to explain govt role
Sep 08, 2011
FORMER Attorney General Kiddhu Makubuya yesterday remained tight-lipped amidst pressure from MPs to answer questions regarding his involvement in the signing, cancellation and compensation of seven contracts where the Government lost sh270b.
By Mary Karugaba
FORMER Attorney General Kiddhu Makubuya yesterday remained tight-lipped amidst pressure from MPs to answer questions regarding his involvement in the signing, cancellation and compensation of seven contracts where the Government lost sh270b.
Appearing before the public accounts committee probing the contracts, Makubuya said he could not accurately recall his role due to lack of access to the documents in the Attorney General’s office.
Makubuya handed over the office to Peter Nyombi in a cabinet reshuffle in May.
But Committee chairman Kassiano Wadri (FDC) and Alice Alaso (FDC) asked Makubuya whether he needed the committee’s assistance to access the documents.
To the amusement of members, Makubuya said: “I have not tried so I don’t know whether I will have difficulties accessing it.â€
The committee rejected his explanation, saying that as government legal adviser, he was aware of the deals and demanded that he answers general questions and leave out the technical aspect.
The committee is probing circumstances under which the Government paid over sh270b to seven companies, including Hassan Basajjabalaba’s Haba Group that received sh69.8b.
The contracts were cleared but later cancelled under unclear circumstances.
The committee’s lead counsel, Gerald Karuhanga, asked Makubuya to explain to the committee the processes government goes through before awarding compensations.
Jack Wamai said Makubuya had a record of being a ‘difficult witness’ and had given the same excuses to the previous committee when he was summoned to answer queries of the Auditor General.
The committee later gave Makubuya one week to report back.
FORMER Attorney General Kiddhu Makubuya yesterday remained tight-lipped amidst pressure from MPs to answer questions regarding his involvement in the signing, cancellation and compensation of seven contracts where the Government lost sh270b.
Appearing before the public accounts committee probing the contracts, Makubuya said he could not accurately recall his role due to lack of access to the documents in the Attorney General’s office.
Makubuya handed over the office to Peter Nyombi in a cabinet reshuffle in May.
But Committee chairman Kassiano Wadri (FDC) and Alice Alaso (FDC) asked Makubuya whether he needed the committee’s assistance to access the documents.
To the amusement of members, Makubuya said: “I have not tried so I don’t know whether I will have difficulties accessing it.â€
The committee rejected his explanation, saying that as government legal adviser, he was aware of the deals and demanded that he answers general questions and leave out the technical aspect.
The committee is probing circumstances under which the Government paid over sh270b to seven companies, including Hassan Basajjabalaba’s Haba Group that received sh69.8b.
The contracts were cleared but later cancelled under unclear circumstances.
The committee’s lead counsel, Gerald Karuhanga, asked Makubuya to explain to the committee the processes government goes through before awarding compensations.
Jack Wamai said Makubuya had a record of being a ‘difficult witness’ and had given the same excuses to the previous committee when he was summoned to answer queries of the Auditor General.
The committee later gave Makubuya one week to report back.