Cairo embassy in mess
Mar 07, 2005
The Auditor General (AG) has discovered financial irregularies and an administrative mess in Uganda’s Cairo embassy and asked the permanent secretary in the ministry of foreign affairs to take immediate action.
By Mariam Nalunkuuma
The Auditor General (AG) has discovered financial irregularies and an administrative mess in Uganda’s Cairo embassy and asked the permanent secretary in the ministry of foreign affairs to take immediate action.
The irregularities range from the way property for rent was acquired, to diversion of funds.
The audit found out that one lower cadre, whose contract expired in 1997, refused to be treated in the cheaper Egyptian medical centres and flew to Germany for cardiac treatment. This is contrary to regulations of the Public Service Standing Orders, which provide that the Medical Board must clear such cases.
In the report, referenced DCG.46/161/019/04 of November 29, 2004, the deputy AG in-charge of central government accounts, G. Singh, asked the embassy to refund excess 8,000 Egyptian pounds (sh2.2m) spent on hiring a lawyer.
The report said 14,000 Egyptian pounds (sh3.3m) was paid to Bassiouny Law Firm to process and secure a land title for the mission’s premises on 66 Road 10, Maadi in Cairo.
There is no substantive ambassador in Egypt since Ibrahim Mukiibi was transferred to Riyad. Mukiibi handed over to Lt. Col. Julius Chihande, who is performing the duties of Charge d’Affaires.
However, the auditors found that Chihande and Tamale Hamad Musoke’s contracts expired in 1997. Accordingly, the Public Service Commission at its 1,358th sitting on September 18, 1998 decided to terminate the contracts of the two officers.
In his defence to the AG on December 20, 2004, the First Secretary Grade IV, Hamad Tamale Musoke said he flew to Germany, South Africa and Britain for cardiac surgery.
“I don’t claim for any refund for transport, up-keep and medical treatment. I don’t need to be cleared by the Medical Board,†he said.
He said, “It’s better, cheaper and even safer to be treated out of Egypt, which explains why I opted for it and met my medical bills.â€
The AG’s report said the mission pays approximately US$2,900 (about sh5m) on rent per month, for three out of four home-based staff. This amounts to US$34,800 (about sh60m) annually.
“The expenditure on rent is high and can be avoided if the mission acquires properties for accommodation of its staff,†the report said.
The auditors found that 28,276.65 Egyptian pounds, (about sh8m), was diverted from recurrent funds for the acquisition of capital development items.
The report wonders how Chihande assumed the office of Charge d’ Affaires. “This officer does not have the basic minimum qualification for appointment in any grade of foreign service... it is not clear how the officer was assigned responsibilities of Charge d’Affaires,†it stated.
The Auditor General (AG) has discovered financial irregularies and an administrative mess in Uganda’s Cairo embassy and asked the permanent secretary in the ministry of foreign affairs to take immediate action.
The irregularities range from the way property for rent was acquired, to diversion of funds.
The audit found out that one lower cadre, whose contract expired in 1997, refused to be treated in the cheaper Egyptian medical centres and flew to Germany for cardiac treatment. This is contrary to regulations of the Public Service Standing Orders, which provide that the Medical Board must clear such cases.
In the report, referenced DCG.46/161/019/04 of November 29, 2004, the deputy AG in-charge of central government accounts, G. Singh, asked the embassy to refund excess 8,000 Egyptian pounds (sh2.2m) spent on hiring a lawyer.
The report said 14,000 Egyptian pounds (sh3.3m) was paid to Bassiouny Law Firm to process and secure a land title for the mission’s premises on 66 Road 10, Maadi in Cairo.
There is no substantive ambassador in Egypt since Ibrahim Mukiibi was transferred to Riyad. Mukiibi handed over to Lt. Col. Julius Chihande, who is performing the duties of Charge d’Affaires.
However, the auditors found that Chihande and Tamale Hamad Musoke’s contracts expired in 1997. Accordingly, the Public Service Commission at its 1,358th sitting on September 18, 1998 decided to terminate the contracts of the two officers.
In his defence to the AG on December 20, 2004, the First Secretary Grade IV, Hamad Tamale Musoke said he flew to Germany, South Africa and Britain for cardiac surgery.
“I don’t claim for any refund for transport, up-keep and medical treatment. I don’t need to be cleared by the Medical Board,†he said.
He said, “It’s better, cheaper and even safer to be treated out of Egypt, which explains why I opted for it and met my medical bills.â€
The AG’s report said the mission pays approximately US$2,900 (about sh5m) on rent per month, for three out of four home-based staff. This amounts to US$34,800 (about sh60m) annually.
“The expenditure on rent is high and can be avoided if the mission acquires properties for accommodation of its staff,†the report said.
The auditors found that 28,276.65 Egyptian pounds, (about sh8m), was diverted from recurrent funds for the acquisition of capital development items.
The report wonders how Chihande assumed the office of Charge d’ Affaires. “This officer does not have the basic minimum qualification for appointment in any grade of foreign service... it is not clear how the officer was assigned responsibilities of Charge d’Affaires,†it stated.