Makubuya awaits AG advise on awards
Sep 21, 2011
FORMER Attorney General Kiddu Makubuya has said he is awaiting the advice of the Attorney General before he can explain to MPs his role in awarding sh270b in compensation to several companies whose deals were cancelled.
By Mary Karugaba
FORMER Attorney General Kiddu Makubuya has said he is awaiting the advice of the Attorney General before he can explain to MPs his role in awarding sh270b in compensation to several companies whose deals were cancelled.
In a September 16 letter that was scrutinised by MPs yesterday, the general duties minister wrote to the Attorney General, Peter Nyombi, wondering whether he could speak about actions he sanctioned in his previous job.
“I consider that your legal opinion on this matter will guide the Government operations. Without your opinion, it would be irregular for me to appear before the public accounts committee,†Makubuya wrote.
Nyombi has on several occassions refused to appear before the committee to table oil production agreements, prompting MPs to call for a special session over the matter.
In another letter dated September 19, and addressed to the Clerk to Parliament, Makubuya said: “Until I am guided by the Attorney General, I am constrained to accept the said invitation.â€
Makubuya was scheduled to appear before the public accounts committee yesterday to explain whether he rightly advised the Government to award such monies to companied whose contracts were signed but later cancelled.
In a bid to reclaim their money, the contractors threatened to sue the Government for causing them financial loss and the Government opted to compensate them.
Nyombi replied saying he was still studying the law and would give his view as soon as possible.
According to the law, all contracts beyond sh50m where the Government had interest were supposed to be cleared after the Attorney General’s advice.
Makubuya’s failure to appear angered the members who accused him of undermining the work of Parliament.
FORMER Attorney General Kiddu Makubuya has said he is awaiting the advice of the Attorney General before he can explain to MPs his role in awarding sh270b in compensation to several companies whose deals were cancelled.
In a September 16 letter that was scrutinised by MPs yesterday, the general duties minister wrote to the Attorney General, Peter Nyombi, wondering whether he could speak about actions he sanctioned in his previous job.
“I consider that your legal opinion on this matter will guide the Government operations. Without your opinion, it would be irregular for me to appear before the public accounts committee,†Makubuya wrote.
Nyombi has on several occassions refused to appear before the committee to table oil production agreements, prompting MPs to call for a special session over the matter.
In another letter dated September 19, and addressed to the Clerk to Parliament, Makubuya said: “Until I am guided by the Attorney General, I am constrained to accept the said invitation.â€
Makubuya was scheduled to appear before the public accounts committee yesterday to explain whether he rightly advised the Government to award such monies to companied whose contracts were signed but later cancelled.
In a bid to reclaim their money, the contractors threatened to sue the Government for causing them financial loss and the Government opted to compensate them.
Nyombi replied saying he was still studying the law and would give his view as soon as possible.
According to the law, all contracts beyond sh50m where the Government had interest were supposed to be cleared after the Attorney General’s advice.
Makubuya’s failure to appear angered the members who accused him of undermining the work of Parliament.