Mbabazi protests withdrawal of official car

Apr 21, 2016

The driver was informed the vehicle was being taken away as part of an ongoing operation

Former prime minister and presidential candidate Amama Mbabazi has protested the withdrawal of his official car.

The vehicle a black Pajero vehicle registration number UG 0534Z has been in his possession since his time as prime minister.

However, according to a source, the vehicle was on Wednesday impounded from Mbabazi's driver.

Mbabazi's spokesperson Josephine Mayanja-Nkangi said they will lodge a formal protest with government, saying that the action is illegal.

"A vehicle is one of his (Mbabazi's) emoluments as former prime minister according to the law. Why would anyone take it away," Mayanja-Nkangi said.

According to the Emoluments and Benefits of the President, Vice-President and Prime Minister Act 2010, former leaders are entitled to pension, a fully furnished house, chauffeur-driven cars, fuel allowance, medical allowance, security guards and cash to cater for utility bills.

Mayanja-Nkangi did not give details but according to a source the vehicle was taken away from Mbabazi's driver near Serena Hotel in Kampala.

The source said the driver was informed the vehicle was being taken away as part of an ongoing operation to recover government vehicles in wrong hands.

osephine ayanjakangi labeled the move illegal Josephine Mayanja-Nkangi labeled the move illegal.

 

When contacted, government spokesperson Ofwono Opondo denied knowledge of the incident. He, however, told New Vision that whilst former leaders, including Mbabazi, are entitled to an official car, they must first hand over cars in their possession at the time of leaving office.

"The car belongs to his former office (Office of the Prime Minister), so it was a mistake on his part if he still had it," Opondo said.

Opondo said Mbabazi will be given a new car like other high ranking officials that have served government.

He, however, could not elaborate if Mbabazi would face some sanctions for hanging on to government property for too long.

Mbabazi was relieved of his duties in 2014 as prime minister. A year later he contested for the presidency but finished a distant third in the February 18 general elections. However, he protested the outcome of the elections in the Supreme Court.

Court dismissed the case maintaining that President Yoweri Museveni was validly elected. 

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