Global Fund probe grills UNCCI official
Dec 08, 2005
UGANDA National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UNCCI) officials puzzled the commission of inquiry into the mismanagement of the Global Fund, when they said they used over 50% of millions of shillings on workshops and training.
By John Odyek
and Apollo Mubiru
UGANDA National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UNCCI) officials puzzled the commission of inquiry into the mismanagement of the Global Fund, when they said they used over 50% of millions of shillings on workshops and training.
Stephen Musinguzi Kabagambe, the secretary for mobilisation, education and health, had difficulties on Wednesday in accounting for sh385m they received in September last year. The chamber was selected as a lead agency by the Project Management Unit to receive and distribute funds to its members nationwide.
Kabagambe said the chamber had received the first installment of sh208m and spent it on sensitisation seminars, review workshops, condom distribution, administration costs, training peer educators and organising meetings.
He said of the second installment of sh176m received in March, they distributed sh70m to 100 members countrywide. Members consist of corporate, associate and individual members in 56 districts. Olive Kigongo, the president of the chamber, signed for the funds from the Project Management Unit as a witness.
Commissioner Margaret Mungherera queried why the chamber chose not to distribute money but to spend it as if they were direct implementers of HIV/AIDS programmes.
Justice James Ogoola, the chairman of the commission, said, “The Global Fund was ultimately meant to help people affected by HIV/AIDS. Out of this, only sh70m went to sub-grantees. How do you justify that?â€
Commissioner Lydia Obonyo said one of the receipts provided by the chamber showed that they had spent sh80m to hire Hotel Africana, Kampala, for a review workshop. Obonyo said the chamber only accounted for sh9.7m, which was paid to the hotel.
Commissioner Gerald Kasanya Mbalire said a voucher showed that the chamber had withdrawn sh36m on September 22, 2004 but paid Hotel Africana sh9.7m on October 3 and asked why the money was withdrawn so early.
and Apollo Mubiru
UGANDA National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UNCCI) officials puzzled the commission of inquiry into the mismanagement of the Global Fund, when they said they used over 50% of millions of shillings on workshops and training.
Stephen Musinguzi Kabagambe, the secretary for mobilisation, education and health, had difficulties on Wednesday in accounting for sh385m they received in September last year. The chamber was selected as a lead agency by the Project Management Unit to receive and distribute funds to its members nationwide.
Kabagambe said the chamber had received the first installment of sh208m and spent it on sensitisation seminars, review workshops, condom distribution, administration costs, training peer educators and organising meetings.
He said of the second installment of sh176m received in March, they distributed sh70m to 100 members countrywide. Members consist of corporate, associate and individual members in 56 districts. Olive Kigongo, the president of the chamber, signed for the funds from the Project Management Unit as a witness.
Commissioner Margaret Mungherera queried why the chamber chose not to distribute money but to spend it as if they were direct implementers of HIV/AIDS programmes.
Justice James Ogoola, the chairman of the commission, said, “The Global Fund was ultimately meant to help people affected by HIV/AIDS. Out of this, only sh70m went to sub-grantees. How do you justify that?â€
Commissioner Lydia Obonyo said one of the receipts provided by the chamber showed that they had spent sh80m to hire Hotel Africana, Kampala, for a review workshop. Obonyo said the chamber only accounted for sh9.7m, which was paid to the hotel.
Commissioner Gerald Kasanya Mbalire said a voucher showed that the chamber had withdrawn sh36m on September 22, 2004 but paid Hotel Africana sh9.7m on October 3 and asked why the money was withdrawn so early.