Probe oil case cash bonus - MPs

Jan 05, 2017

Over sh7b was paid to Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) staff and other public servants in bonuses allegedly for their role in the case that Uganda won against oil companies.

 MP Peter Ogwang

A group of legislators want the Speaker of Parliament to institute a select committee to investigate senior government officials who benefited from a sh7b oil cash bonus.

Over sh7b was paid to Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) staff and other public servants in bonuses allegedly for their role in the case that Uganda won against oil companies.

Mbarara Municipality MP Micheal Tusiime noted that this has set a bad precedent in regards to recognition of civil servants.

"Many people have served this country diligently but have never been rewarded financially," Tusiime noted.

MP Peter Ogwang explained that the ministry of justice asked parliament for an additional sh11b for this particular court case.

He wondered why the officials rewarded themselves a bonus.

In April 2013, Uganda won a landmark $434m (sh1.5 trillion) oil tax case in London against Heritage Oil and Gas Ltd and Tullow Oil, and the Ugandan government recovered the money.

It is part of this money that was reportedly distributed to over 50 staff members from URA, finance ministry and the Attorney General's office.

Finance ministry spokesperson, Jim Mugunga, confirmed that there was money paid, and that it was authorized by President Yoweri Museveni.

"Those who were paid were 42 and they included a core team, non-core. They were paid a gross of sh6b, which was subject to deductibles including taxes and NSSF (National Social Security Fund) for the case of URA staff," he explained.

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