URA defends sh6b oil cash bonus

Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) Commissioner General, Doris Akol. Photo/File

Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has defended the sh6b payment to its Commissioner General, Doris Akol, and a number of other heads of government department and ministries, saying the payment broke no law.
 
URA said the payment was a 'thank you' gesture from President Yoweri Museveni to the officials for a job well done in winning a land mark case over UK-based Heritage Oil, a UK based company in 2015.
 
Media reports indicated that 43 officials including Akol, Finance ministry permanent secretary Keith Muhakanizi, and former URA boss Allen Kagina (now at UNRA) and KCCA executive director Jennifer Musisi (who previously served as head of Legal department at URA) shared sh6b, which was part of the $700m won in a UK court by the government of Uganda.
 
The officials implicated come from URA, Energy ministry, Finance ministry, Justice among other government departments.
 

Finance ministry permanent secretary Keith Muhakanizi

The pay-out has sparked public outrage with some activists calling on the officials named in the deal to resign.
 
However, a press statement released on Thursday by URA said there was nothing wrong with the payment as it was endorsed by Attorney General and approved by President Yoweri Museveni— and all payments underwent the necessary approval processes as provided for under the Public Finance Management Act.
 
The statement added: "It is standard international best practice for employees to receive bonus payments/ or honoraria for exemplary performance in both the public and the private sector."  
"Equally under the Ugandan Constitution; the President has a prerogative as a fountain of honour to reward exemplary performance and this has been exhibited in the fields of health, academia, and sports to mention a few."

KCCA executive director Jennifer Musisi

 
The statement signed by URA's publicist Sarah Banage said the payment was meant to appreciate the "professionalism" and "patriotism" exhibited by the team members, especially their ability to resist all pressure and compromise given the magnitude of the figures involved.

The statement said the payment was only one percent of the huge sum the officials won for the government of Uganda.  
 
Banage said, however, that the matter has been blown out of proportion to imply the official shared the money out of greed.

UNRA executive director, Allen Kagina

 
"The published information is followed by an alleged list of beneficiaries that is inaccurate in terms of names and amounts attached to them. This is all incorrect," added the statement.