IGG raps MPs over Nsaba Buturo case

Nov 19, 2006

THE Inspector General of Government (IGG) has criticised the Parliament’s Public Account Committee (PAC) over the way it recently handled minister Nsaba Buturo’s case in which he improperly procured sh20m from a radio station.

By Raymond Baguma

THE Inspector General of Government (IGG) has criticised the Parliament’s Public Account Committee (PAC) over the way it recently handled minister Nsaba Buturo’s case in which he improperly procured sh20m from a radio station.

Faith Mwondha said, “PAC was satisfied. Me, I am not satisfied. MPs are representatives of the people. If they are satisfied, then they are being tolerant to corruption.”

The PAC recently summoned Buturo to explain how he secured sh20m from Gulu’s Mega FM.

Buturo, who explained that the money was to be used for a documentary, is yet to refund it. He told the committee he would return it by the end of the year.
Buturo was by then minister of state for information. He is now minister of ethics and integrity.

“Somebody says, ‘I did not follow procedure.’ Somebody who is minister of ethics and integrity? Saying sorry does not reflect the spirit of zero tolerance to corruption. Embezzlement is criminal and it is in the Leadership Code,” Mwondha said.

“I find myself hand-tied. I would think the Head of State has to come in as the one who appointed him (Buturo),” Mwondha added.

She was on Saturday officiating at the opening of a student leaders’ seminar at Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST).

The two-day seminar, under the theme ‘Corruption an evil we all must fight’, attracted student leaders from 18 tertiary institutions and universities in the districts of Bushenyi, Kabale, Mbarara, Ntungamo, Rukungiri, Isingiro and Kisoro.

Mwondha also said she would soon release a report that would expose top city lawyers who colluded with officials in the land registry to alter ownership of a prime land in Kampala city.

She said there was need to sensitise the public on corruption and asked students to form anti-corruption clubs and remain honest.

She said there were deaths in hospitals because funds for drugs were being embezzled.

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