IGG blasts former VP over graft
Jun 26, 2011
THE Inspector General of Government, Raphael Baku, has blasted former Vice-President Specioza Wandira Kazibwe over abuse of office and tampering with investigations into graft at the Micro Finance Support Centre.
By Cyprian Musoke and Sylvia Nankya
THE Inspector General of Government, Raphael Baku, has blasted former Vice-President Specioza Wandira Kazibwe over abuse of office and tampering with investigations into graft at the Micro Finance Support Centre.
Speaking to journalists after addressing MPs at the Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala on Friday, Baku said those holding public offices should be above suspicion on matters of conflict of interest and corruption.
He said Kazibwe’s suspension was necessary because she was presiding over an illegally constituted board whose term of office had expired.
Baku added that her continued presence in office was tampering with his office’s investigations into malpractice at the Micro Finance Support Centre.
He said Kazibwe fired key staff who were cooperating with his office in the investigations.
“There was a general meeting of the centre’s shareholders who disagreed with former finance minister Syda Bbumba’s decision to renew their term of office,†Baku said.
Kazibwe’s board had sacked the corporation secretary Dorcas Apita Angom and director of legal services Mariam Ndibuuza who, according to the IGG, were irregularly suspended by the board on June 17.
“We must maintain our integrity so that we don’t fall in the hands of law enforcement offices. It is sad to see our leaders being dragged before courts of law when they leave office,†he said.
MPs, however, accused Baku of selective prosecution of alleged corruption suspects and acquitting some of the big fish.
Baku said evidence against other graft suspects had been compiled and they would be dragged to court.
There was drama at the podium when Kazibwe requested to leave the high table before Baku, who was the next presenter, stepped up to address the meeting. The two avoided each other and passed different sides of the table.
Addressing journalists after her presentation, Kazibwe denied siphoning money out of the centre and blamed her suspension on managers who have been blackmailing her.
She vowed to root out the corrupt officials who have been writing malicious letters about her to the IGG.
“I cannot be sacked because I am not an employee, but a member of the board. I have only been suspended as investigations are going on. When we commissioned an investigation, they panicked and wrote damning letters about members of the board. I am going to clean that organisation so that the sh60b for poverty eradication that was spent by staff is recovered,†she said.
Kazibwe accused a syndicate within the organisation of giving money to only rich institutions. “I have already gone to the IGG and explained myself to help with the investigations,†she said.
Kazibwe’s suspension that takes immediate effect was ordered by Baku on May 20.
Asked if she was not afraid of prosecution if rot is found, she replied: “I ate nothing because I earn enough money as a presidential adviser.â€
THE Inspector General of Government, Raphael Baku, has blasted former Vice-President Specioza Wandira Kazibwe over abuse of office and tampering with investigations into graft at the Micro Finance Support Centre.
Speaking to journalists after addressing MPs at the Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala on Friday, Baku said those holding public offices should be above suspicion on matters of conflict of interest and corruption.
He said Kazibwe’s suspension was necessary because she was presiding over an illegally constituted board whose term of office had expired.
Baku added that her continued presence in office was tampering with his office’s investigations into malpractice at the Micro Finance Support Centre.
He said Kazibwe fired key staff who were cooperating with his office in the investigations.
“There was a general meeting of the centre’s shareholders who disagreed with former finance minister Syda Bbumba’s decision to renew their term of office,†Baku said.
Kazibwe’s board had sacked the corporation secretary Dorcas Apita Angom and director of legal services Mariam Ndibuuza who, according to the IGG, were irregularly suspended by the board on June 17.
“We must maintain our integrity so that we don’t fall in the hands of law enforcement offices. It is sad to see our leaders being dragged before courts of law when they leave office,†he said.
MPs, however, accused Baku of selective prosecution of alleged corruption suspects and acquitting some of the big fish.
Baku said evidence against other graft suspects had been compiled and they would be dragged to court.
There was drama at the podium when Kazibwe requested to leave the high table before Baku, who was the next presenter, stepped up to address the meeting. The two avoided each other and passed different sides of the table.
Addressing journalists after her presentation, Kazibwe denied siphoning money out of the centre and blamed her suspension on managers who have been blackmailing her.
She vowed to root out the corrupt officials who have been writing malicious letters about her to the IGG.
“I cannot be sacked because I am not an employee, but a member of the board. I have only been suspended as investigations are going on. When we commissioned an investigation, they panicked and wrote damning letters about members of the board. I am going to clean that organisation so that the sh60b for poverty eradication that was spent by staff is recovered,†she said.
Kazibwe accused a syndicate within the organisation of giving money to only rich institutions. “I have already gone to the IGG and explained myself to help with the investigations,†she said.
Kazibwe’s suspension that takes immediate effect was ordered by Baku on May 20.
Asked if she was not afraid of prosecution if rot is found, she replied: “I ate nothing because I earn enough money as a presidential adviser.â€