Journalists barred from Museveni meet with MPs on oil bonus

Probe committee chairperson Abdu Katuntu gestures through the window as they departed from Parliament. PHOTO/Kennedy Oryema

Journalists have been barred from covering proceedings of a Parliament committee meeting with President Yoweri Museveni at State House Entebbe.   

MPs on the commissions of state authorities and state enterprises are meeting the President today (Wednesday) as they conclude investigations into the payment of the sh6b oil bonus.

According to the officials who appeared before the committee chaired by Abdul Katuntu and a number of documents tabled, the reward was reportedly initiated by Museveni a $404m case against against Heritage Oil was won in London.

During her appearance before the commission, URA commissioner general Doris Akol told the members that before the team won the case in London, President Museveni promised that he would "thank them" if they won the case.

"When we won, the Attorney General wrote reminding the President of his promise," Akol said.

Akol's predecessor, Allen Kagina, told MPs that when the team won the case, Museveni invited them to Rwakitura and appreciated them for the job well done.

After the meeting, the officials reportedly reminded the President of his promise. Information to the committee indicates that the President however directed Akol to recommend an appropriate reward for the team.

Museveni further reportedly recommended that the list be expanded to support staff and all those that were involved. The list came to 42 officials.

In June, 2015, Akol wrote to President Museveni suggesting a number of rewards including cash amounting to sh6b. She said of the total amount, sh2.3bn would be deducted as tax and the net sum of sh3.6bn would be given to the team as a take home package.

She justified the cash reward saying it would enable the beneficiaries use the funds for something tangible for example leave a legacy to remind them and their offspring of their contribution to the nation.

"Your excellency, for instance, the recommended amount could enable one to either acquire a decent plot of land, pay a deposit on mortgage or perhaps facilitate finishes on home construction" she wrote.

Five months later in a letter dated November 16, the Museveni wrote to Finance Minister, Matia Kasaija, informing him that government had won the case and that there was need to release the money.

"I met with a team of officials that handled the case and they requested to be considered for a reward in appreciation for the work done. Given the amount of money that was recovered for the government, I agreed that government pays them some money as a token of appreciation," wrote Museveni.

Although Kasaija later directed Akol to get the money from the available resources, the MPs have since raised a number of issues regarding the legality of the payment.

They have also vowed not to approve the supplementary budget that was requested by the Finance Ministry to replenish the sh6b that was paid out.