IGG intensifies CHOGM scam probe
Jun 15, 2011
THE Inspector General of Government is investigating procurement of street lights ahead of the Commonwealth summit and diversion of money meant for the meeting to the construction of the Northern Bypass.
By VISION REPORTERS
THE Inspector General of Government is investigating procurement of street lights ahead of the Commonwealth summit and diversion of money meant for the meeting to the construction of the Northern Bypass.
The by-pass was already under European Union funding. The money injected into Commonwealth Speke Resort Munyonyo is also under scrutiny.
“Under street lighting we have discovered that there was gross inflation of prices from what is known and several breaches of procurement procedures and the law,†Rapheal Baku said.
Baku was yesterday opening the Mukono region office for the inspectorate, located in Butebe cell in Ntaawo ward in Mukono municipality.
The office will handle graft complaints in Mukono, Buikwe, Kayunga, Buvuma, Nakasongola, Luwero and Nakaseke.
The IGG questioned how sh8.5b was diverted to the construction of the Northern by-pass as if it were one of the activities identified for funding under the CHOGM budget.
Giving his defense in Parliament, former works and transport minister Eng. John Nasasira said completion of the by-pass needed to be hastened to decongest the capital city.
The IGG also said they would find out whether the funds given Munyonyo by the Government were secured as shares and whether that invested in infrastructure amounted to value for money.
Baku declined to name the suspects under probe, saying investigations are revolving around activities which will lead the investigators to the suspects.
“When we take action you will see in court,†he replied to probing journalists.
During the parliamentary probe on the expenditure of CHOGM money, MPs wondered how the bill shot up from sh3.4b to sh19b.
The MPs also wanted to know how the works ministry got involved in street lighting, which was the mandate of Kampala City Council.
They also queried why the job was not advertised and who prepared the bid document.
The IGG also spoke out on the prosecution of the former Vice-President, Prof. Gilbert Bukenya, facing charges of abuse of office in the purchase of VIP vehicles used by heads of government during the November 2007 Commonwealth Summit.
Bukenya, who chaired the Cabinet sub-committee on CHOGM, will appear in the Anti-Corruption Court tomorrow.
Baku said his office had shared out investigations with the director of public prosecution and the Police.
He noted that only Bukenya’s file on the purchase of motorcycles and executive vehicles was ready.
The IGG admitted that the inspectorate was also following pointers in the report of the parliamentary public accounts committee whose recommendations Parliament rejected.
The oversight committee was chaired by Budadiri West MP, Nathan Nandala Mafabi, currently the Leader of Opposition.
“Under those two files, the person we found responsible was the former Vice-President,†Baku said.
By Henry Mukasa, Henry Nsubuga
and Justine Kirabo
THE Inspector General of Government is investigating procurement of street lights ahead of the Commonwealth summit and diversion of money meant for the meeting to the construction of the Northern Bypass.
The by-pass was already under European Union funding. The money injected into Commonwealth Speke Resort Munyonyo is also under scrutiny.
“Under street lighting we have discovered that there was gross inflation of prices from what is known and several breaches of procurement procedures and the law,†Rapheal Baku said.
Baku was yesterday opening the Mukono region office for the inspectorate, located in Butebe cell in Ntaawo ward in Mukono municipality.
The office will handle graft complaints in Mukono, Buikwe, Kayunga, Buvuma, Nakasongola, Luwero and Nakaseke.
The IGG questioned how sh8.5b was diverted to the construction of the Northern by-pass as if it were one of the activities identified for funding under the CHOGM budget.
Giving his defense in Parliament, former works and transport minister Eng. John Nasasira said completion of the by-pass needed to be hastened to decongest the capital city.
The IGG also said they would find out whether the funds given Munyonyo by the Government were secured as shares and whether that invested in infrastructure amounted to value for money.
Baku declined to name the suspects under probe, saying investigations are revolving around activities which will lead the investigators to the suspects.
“When we take action you will see in court,†he replied to probing journalists.
During the parliamentary probe on the expenditure of CHOGM money, MPs wondered how the bill shot up from sh3.4b to sh19b.
The MPs also wanted to know how the works ministry got involved in street lighting, which was the mandate of Kampala City Council.
They also queried why the job was not advertised and who prepared the bid document.
The IGG also spoke out on the prosecution of the former Vice-President, Prof. Gilbert Bukenya, facing charges of abuse of office in the purchase of VIP vehicles used by heads of government during the November 2007 Commonwealth Summit.
Bukenya, who chaired the Cabinet sub-committee on CHOGM, will appear in the Anti-Corruption Court tomorrow.
Baku said his office had shared out investigations with the director of public prosecution and the Police.
He noted that only Bukenya’s file on the purchase of motorcycles and executive vehicles was ready.
The IGG admitted that the inspectorate was also following pointers in the report of the parliamentary public accounts committee whose recommendations Parliament rejected.
The oversight committee was chaired by Budadiri West MP, Nathan Nandala Mafabi, currently the Leader of Opposition.
“Under those two files, the person we found responsible was the former Vice-President,†Baku said.
By Henry Mukasa, Henry Nsubuga
and Justine Kirabo