Judges to probe choppers

By Felix Osike THE Government has instituted a judicial commission of inquiry into the purchase of two unoverhauled MI-24 helicopters by the defence ministry from Belarus. State minister for defence in a statement last night said, however, the composition and the terms of reference of the commission "shall be published in due course." "In view of the continued controversy and speculation surrounding the procurement of the MI-24 helicopters for the army, the Government has decided to institute a judicial commission of inquiry into the transaction," the statement said. Besigye last night welcomed the inquiry, saying, "That is what I have been asking for for many years." He said, "We shall give them full co-operation but I hope that the report will be made public so that the air about this saga is cleared." Asked whether he was ready to be prosecuted if found guilty, Besigye said, "I have never had such worries. I am 1005% sure that I have no fault." The public inquiry comes amid heated exchanges between, Besigye, who was the Chief of Logistics and Engineering at the time of procurement, and President Yoweri Museveni, who reportedly awarded the contract in his capacity as the Minister of Defence. The Government paid $6.5m (sh9.5b) for the helicopters. Both Museveni and Kavuma have blamed Besigye for the mess. A statement issued by the defence ministry on Sunday said, "Col. Besigye made a report confirming that the helicopters were fully overhauled and ready for shipment. The helicopters were delivered but subsequently found to be unoverhauled." Kavuma said Museveni relied on a Besigye report that the choppers were overhauled. "It is this act which led to the loss of money intended for the overhauled helicopters. This is the act for which the President holds Col. Besigye responsible," the statement added. But Besigye has denied any wrong-doing and demanded an open and independent inquiry. He said there was an attempt to cover up the deeds of some influential people who have continuously flouted the law and diverted taxpayers money. He said Museveni awarded the helicopter contract to Consolidated Sales, a company solely owned by a Ugandan, Emmanuel Katto. He said Maj. Gen. Salim Saleh introduced Katto to Museveni. Saleh is Museveni's brother. He said Saleh took a commission of $800,000 from the suppliers. Saleh has not responded to the allegations. There have been two internal probes before. Meanwhile, Kikonyogo Ngatya reports that Dr Ruhakana Rugunda, the Minister for the Presidency, has said Museveni will beat Besigye in next year's presidential elections. He said Besigye had "no firm ground to convince the electorate that he has the ability to rule the country as Museveni." Rugunda was yesterday briefing the press after opening a two-day national preparatory workshop for African Development Forum at the Intentional Conference Centre. "I am confident that Museveni will overwhelmingly defeat Besigye. The people of Uganda are aware that President Museveni has more leadership quality than Besigye. I don't see him as any threat at all," he said. Asked whether he would maintain his post if Besigye won and appointed him, Rugunda said, "I will cross the bridge when I get there." He said as a civil servant he was at the service of the nation. "The electorate has the supreme powers in determining how they want to be governed. This is a basic principle in democracy that we in Government have brought back," he said. Ends.