NSSF probe team gets secret calls
Sep 10, 2008
MPs probing the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) land deal with security minister Amama Mbabazi have reported receiving anonymous calls trying to influence the outcome of the inquiry.
By Mary Karugaba
and Milton Olupot
MPs probing the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) land deal with security minister Amama Mbabazi have reported receiving anonymous calls trying to influence the outcome of the inquiry.
The chairman of the parliamentary committee on commissions and state enterprises, John Odit (UPC), yesterday warned the callers that they would be tracked and forced to explain their actions.
Addressing the press at Parliament yesterday, Odit, Abdu Katutntu (FDC), Elijah Okupa (FDC) and Theodore Ssekikubo (NRM), vowed not to be deterred by the calls.
The committee is investigating allegations that NSSF inflated the price for the Temangalo land by about sh10m per acre, a price higher than what private valuers had recommended.
The land was bought from security Mbabazi and city businessman Amos Nzeyi at sh24m per acre.
Odit said the minister of state for local Government, Hope Mwesigye, was to appear on Monday to explain a message she allegedly sent to many NRM MPs, including workers MP Bruno Pajobo.
Okupa read out the message: “Greetings. Kindly help out on Amama issue if you can. Hope Mwesigye.â€
However Pajobo could not confirm whether it was sent by Mwesigye. “It was sent to us. I don’t know whether this is Mwesigye’s number,†he said.
Odit said: “If she sent it, she should be a witness as well. If she is interested, let her come and explain how we should help Amama. That is a clear case of influence-peddling.
“The key witness (Mbabazi) has not appeared. On what basis does she form an opinion that he should be helped?†he asked.
Mwesigye could not be reached for comment as her phone was off.
The committee planned to conclude the investigations next week and thereafter present a report to Parliament, Odit said.
Katuntu said the calls and messages being sent around showed that there was a problem. “There is no one that will change us. They are trying to hinder us from getting the truth. That is blackmail.â€
Both the NRM parliamentary caucus and the executive committee declined to make recommendations on the matter, until the committee is through with its probe.
“Our position will be based on the evidence given to the committee. Witnesses should not think we are already biased. We have given everybody mentioned in the deal a chance to defend themselves,†Odit said.
Finance minister Dr. Ezra Suruma, who was scheduled to appear before the committee yesterday, sent a message requesting the to reschedule the meeting, saying he had to attend the budget proceedings in the House.
Suruma was accused of passing NSSF’s real estate investment without a budget and allowing the Fund to flout procurement regulations as he is the supervising minister.
Meanwhile, David Chandi Jamwa, the NSSF managing director, has denied owning a house in Kololo, an upscale Kampala suburb.
“I am renting the said property for myself and my family. I moved into the area for my personal security,†he said.
Jamwa was reacting to media reports quoting Workers MP Dr. Sam Lyomoki that he recently bought the house at sh1.2b.
and Milton Olupot
MPs probing the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) land deal with security minister Amama Mbabazi have reported receiving anonymous calls trying to influence the outcome of the inquiry.
The chairman of the parliamentary committee on commissions and state enterprises, John Odit (UPC), yesterday warned the callers that they would be tracked and forced to explain their actions.
Addressing the press at Parliament yesterday, Odit, Abdu Katutntu (FDC), Elijah Okupa (FDC) and Theodore Ssekikubo (NRM), vowed not to be deterred by the calls.
The committee is investigating allegations that NSSF inflated the price for the Temangalo land by about sh10m per acre, a price higher than what private valuers had recommended.
The land was bought from security Mbabazi and city businessman Amos Nzeyi at sh24m per acre.
Odit said the minister of state for local Government, Hope Mwesigye, was to appear on Monday to explain a message she allegedly sent to many NRM MPs, including workers MP Bruno Pajobo.
Okupa read out the message: “Greetings. Kindly help out on Amama issue if you can. Hope Mwesigye.â€
However Pajobo could not confirm whether it was sent by Mwesigye. “It was sent to us. I don’t know whether this is Mwesigye’s number,†he said.
Odit said: “If she sent it, she should be a witness as well. If she is interested, let her come and explain how we should help Amama. That is a clear case of influence-peddling.
“The key witness (Mbabazi) has not appeared. On what basis does she form an opinion that he should be helped?†he asked.
Mwesigye could not be reached for comment as her phone was off.
The committee planned to conclude the investigations next week and thereafter present a report to Parliament, Odit said.
Katuntu said the calls and messages being sent around showed that there was a problem. “There is no one that will change us. They are trying to hinder us from getting the truth. That is blackmail.â€
Both the NRM parliamentary caucus and the executive committee declined to make recommendations on the matter, until the committee is through with its probe.
“Our position will be based on the evidence given to the committee. Witnesses should not think we are already biased. We have given everybody mentioned in the deal a chance to defend themselves,†Odit said.
Finance minister Dr. Ezra Suruma, who was scheduled to appear before the committee yesterday, sent a message requesting the to reschedule the meeting, saying he had to attend the budget proceedings in the House.
Suruma was accused of passing NSSF’s real estate investment without a budget and allowing the Fund to flout procurement regulations as he is the supervising minister.
Meanwhile, David Chandi Jamwa, the NSSF managing director, has denied owning a house in Kololo, an upscale Kampala suburb.
“I am renting the said property for myself and my family. I moved into the area for my personal security,†he said.
Jamwa was reacting to media reports quoting Workers MP Dr. Sam Lyomoki that he recently bought the house at sh1.2b.