Mukula refunds sh240m GAVI funds
Mar 28, 2012
Ex-minister, Mike Mukula has refunded sh240m he reportedly took from the Global Alliance for Vaccines and immunization .
By Henry Sekanjako and John Kato
Former State minister for health, Capt. Mike Mukula has refunded sh240m he reportedly took from the Global Alliance for Vaccines and immunization (GAVI).
Mukula, together with Jim Muhwezi, Dr. Alex Kamugisha (primary health care) and Alice Kaboyo, a former State House employee are accused of swindling sh1.89b GAVI Funds.
The four are currently facing charges of forgery, uttering false document, theft, causing financial loss and embezzlement at the Anti- Corruption Court in Kampala.
Appearing before the Parliament’s committee on Public Accounts on Tuesday to answer queries raised by the Auditor General for the year ended June 30 2010, the permanent secretary ministry of health Asuman Lukwago said the ministry had recovered the money from the accused officials.
The ministry is still recovering more.
He identified some of the other officials that had returned the monies as Arthur Mugumya, Peter Kafuko, Robert Ssemogerere and Nusura Tiperu.
He said Mukula refunded the money in three installments of sh47.4m, sh147m and sh47m. Arthur Mugumya returned sh6.3m; Robert Ssemogerere returned sh 41m, Peter Kafuko sh21m, Nusura Tiperu took back sh33m and Dan Kalule sh6m.
Lukwago told the committee that the ministry had also received a refund of sh3m from someone whose name he said was not indicated on the refund list.
He listed those that have not yet refunded the money as former health minister Jim Muhwezi, Mohammed Kezaala, the then permanent secretary ministry of health, Dr. Alex Kamugisha, Dr. Ida Nankinga among other officials.
Lukwago said some of the officials had not yet refunded the money citing a court case adding that officials like Mohammed Kezaala among others had made accountability for the money they had obtained.
“Kezaala provided evidence that $500,000 (800m) funds were provided to UNICEF for procurement of vaccines,” explained Lukwago.
The committee however has asked the ministry to ensure that all implicated officials refund the money.