Malicious propaganda surrounds Global Fund
Sep 01, 2005
THERE is a big fuss being kicked by all and sundry over the suspension of donor money to fight HIV/Aids, Tuberculosis, and Malaria by the UN’s Global Fund, because of alleged mismanagement, corruption, fraud, poor accountability, and incompetence.
THERE is a big fuss being kicked by all and sundry over the suspension of donor money to fight HIV/Aids, Tuberculosis, and Malaria by the UN’s Global Fund, because of alleged mismanagement, corruption, fraud, poor accountability, and incompetence.
It is indisputable that Uganda needs donor support, and irrespective of what one may think, it is also a fact that it was our success against HIV/Aids in the first place that attracted world attention and assistance to the country, and not vice versa, and we can still improve on prevention awareness by ourselves. And while we should abhor corruption, it is strange that some anti-corruption groups and MPs, particularly from the opposition, have been quick to apportion blame even before they read PricewaterhouseCoopers’s (PWC) report. Details emerging show that PWC said that because of the procedures applied, the “report†does not constitute either “an audit or a review made in accordance with International Standards on Auditing or International Standards on Review Engagements†to express assurance on the project’s status. And some have even gone the extra, but expected mile to demand that health minister Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Jim Muhwezi resigns or be sacked for failure to supervise, in addition to accusing him of having a “hidden hand†in Aids money.
As we all wait for the findings of the government Commission of Inquiry headed by Principal Judge, Justice James Ogoola, it is not far-fetched to believe that some cheap politics may be going on at many fronts, and the Global Fund could be caught in its web.
At the international level, the Global Fund headquarters appears to have fallen into conspiracy institutional politics by speedily publicising a partial report without giving the Uganda government an opportunity to first respond to the queries raised, as it ought to have been done.
In fact, it has now emerged that PWC, their local agent, had asked for a response by September 30. Maybe it is the officials in Geneva who took it to be an urgent matter, hence the sudden change. Also it has now emerged that PWC never verified from the local concerned commercial banks, DFCU and Stanbic, why a particular foreign exchange was used, and yet it is known that Uganda runs a liberalised financial system.
From the surface, it appears that this “international report†could end up being flimsy as the UN report on the DR Congo against Uganda, and that won’t be good for all stakeholders. Obviously, there may be corruption, negligence and incompetence at the ministry of health and the Aids Project Management Unit (PMU), but don’t be surprised that someone could be trying hard and maliciously too, to prove that Uganda, after all, is not the much talked about success story on the anti-Aids front. The second front as expected is the one opened against Muhwezi by a section of politicians baying for his political blood, although none, I believe, has had the opportunity to read the PWC report. it is a strange world we live in!
And now there is an attempt by again a section of the same political opposition to discredit the legibility of Bank of Uganda Governor, Tumusime-Mutebile as a Commissioner. According to them, Mutebile should be removed because “he is a potential witness in the disputed foreign exchange rates used†as if that is Mutebile’s day-today schedule. Yet, and possibly unknown to the critics, this Commission headed by Justice Ogoola, himself a highly qualified international banker having worked for many years with the IMF and other world bodies, is a very competent one Uganda has ever had in many years.
Where there are allegations of corruption, it is often very attractive for everyone to talk competently, but there is need to remove unqualified shadows of political doubts, otherwise we turn a technical professional arena into politicking. At this time, Uganda needs to get to the truth. professional investigations in financial management must be carried out and those being accused must come forward and truthfully make good account of themselves.
Also keep in mind that the anti-Aids drive, like democracy issues, have attracted so much money globally today that it turns different players into rivals rather than constructive partners. The mushrooming and break-ups of anti-Aids, and malaria-related NGOs, civil society organisations, and community-based organisations throughout Uganda are testimonies to the ongoing rivalry. In addition, it has been a public secret that fights have been going on between some ministry of finance officials, and those from health over Aids money, not to run it better, but to also have a piece of the pie, and this may be discovered in the not too distant future as investigations progress.
It is prudent that the ministries of finance, and of health as well as the now suspended former managers of Aids Project Management Unit (PMU) make a thorough account of themselves, and what could have gone terribly wrong.
And further down the line, both international and local recipients should be audited not only on their legality but also whether the money received was spent on HIV/Aids, tuberculosis, and malaria related issues.
Ends
It is indisputable that Uganda needs donor support, and irrespective of what one may think, it is also a fact that it was our success against HIV/Aids in the first place that attracted world attention and assistance to the country, and not vice versa, and we can still improve on prevention awareness by ourselves. And while we should abhor corruption, it is strange that some anti-corruption groups and MPs, particularly from the opposition, have been quick to apportion blame even before they read PricewaterhouseCoopers’s (PWC) report. Details emerging show that PWC said that because of the procedures applied, the “report†does not constitute either “an audit or a review made in accordance with International Standards on Auditing or International Standards on Review Engagements†to express assurance on the project’s status. And some have even gone the extra, but expected mile to demand that health minister Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Jim Muhwezi resigns or be sacked for failure to supervise, in addition to accusing him of having a “hidden hand†in Aids money.
As we all wait for the findings of the government Commission of Inquiry headed by Principal Judge, Justice James Ogoola, it is not far-fetched to believe that some cheap politics may be going on at many fronts, and the Global Fund could be caught in its web.
At the international level, the Global Fund headquarters appears to have fallen into conspiracy institutional politics by speedily publicising a partial report without giving the Uganda government an opportunity to first respond to the queries raised, as it ought to have been done.
In fact, it has now emerged that PWC, their local agent, had asked for a response by September 30. Maybe it is the officials in Geneva who took it to be an urgent matter, hence the sudden change. Also it has now emerged that PWC never verified from the local concerned commercial banks, DFCU and Stanbic, why a particular foreign exchange was used, and yet it is known that Uganda runs a liberalised financial system.
From the surface, it appears that this “international report†could end up being flimsy as the UN report on the DR Congo against Uganda, and that won’t be good for all stakeholders. Obviously, there may be corruption, negligence and incompetence at the ministry of health and the Aids Project Management Unit (PMU), but don’t be surprised that someone could be trying hard and maliciously too, to prove that Uganda, after all, is not the much talked about success story on the anti-Aids front. The second front as expected is the one opened against Muhwezi by a section of politicians baying for his political blood, although none, I believe, has had the opportunity to read the PWC report. it is a strange world we live in!
And now there is an attempt by again a section of the same political opposition to discredit the legibility of Bank of Uganda Governor, Tumusime-Mutebile as a Commissioner. According to them, Mutebile should be removed because “he is a potential witness in the disputed foreign exchange rates used†as if that is Mutebile’s day-today schedule. Yet, and possibly unknown to the critics, this Commission headed by Justice Ogoola, himself a highly qualified international banker having worked for many years with the IMF and other world bodies, is a very competent one Uganda has ever had in many years.
Where there are allegations of corruption, it is often very attractive for everyone to talk competently, but there is need to remove unqualified shadows of political doubts, otherwise we turn a technical professional arena into politicking. At this time, Uganda needs to get to the truth. professional investigations in financial management must be carried out and those being accused must come forward and truthfully make good account of themselves.
Also keep in mind that the anti-Aids drive, like democracy issues, have attracted so much money globally today that it turns different players into rivals rather than constructive partners. The mushrooming and break-ups of anti-Aids, and malaria-related NGOs, civil society organisations, and community-based organisations throughout Uganda are testimonies to the ongoing rivalry. In addition, it has been a public secret that fights have been going on between some ministry of finance officials, and those from health over Aids money, not to run it better, but to also have a piece of the pie, and this may be discovered in the not too distant future as investigations progress.
It is prudent that the ministries of finance, and of health as well as the now suspended former managers of Aids Project Management Unit (PMU) make a thorough account of themselves, and what could have gone terribly wrong.
And further down the line, both international and local recipients should be audited not only on their legality but also whether the money received was spent on HIV/Aids, tuberculosis, and malaria related issues.
Ends