MP Byandala told to pay back sh900m
Feb 28, 2008
<br>FORMER city engineer James Byandala has been asked to refund sh900m to Kampala City Council (KCC). The council allegedly lost the money when Byandala allowed Sheila Investments to construct a storeyed building at Nakasero Market.
By Cyprian Musoke
and Joyce Namutebi
FORMER city engineer James Byandala has been asked to refund sh900m to Kampala City Council (KCC). The council allegedly lost the money when Byandala allowed Sheila Investments to construct a storeyed building at Nakasero Market.
In its report on the market saga presented to Parliament on Wednesday, the local government accounts committee asked KCC to recover the money from his pension, gratuity and other sources of income.
Committee chairman Geoffrey Ekanya, who presented the report, asked the Inspector General of Government to help enforce the recommendation.
However, Byandala who the Katikamu North MP, dismissed the allegations as “rubbishâ€.
“I have the information. When I asked Ekanya to allow me give the committee evidence, he refused. I only allowed Sheila Investments to repair the water system, toilet and a chicken house,†he said.
According to the report: “Byandala confirmed that Sheila Investments illegally erected a storeyed building. He added that it was not in his area of jurisdiction, but that of the chief town planner who was in charge of development.
“He denied giving the company authority to erect a storeyed building without approved plans,†it added.
“However, as a technical officer, Byandala participated in awarding the Nakasero tender which was irregular.â€
Upon getting the contract, Sheila Investments on December 4, 2002, requested KCC to let them repair the toilets, water systems, park yard and chicken house.
However, the company owned by city businessman Hassan Basajjabalaba, also put up a storeyed building without their permission.
The vendors have opposed Basajjabalaba’s proposal to redevelop the market insisting that they have the means to do it themselves.
According to the report, Byandala did not supervise the project repairs nor did he avail certificates of completion.
“There was a conflict of interest on Byandala’s side since he was a consultant to the investor and also the city engineer,†the report noted.
The report also recommended that local government minister Kahinda Otafiire, former deputy director of finance Basil Bataringaya, deputy town clerk William Tumwine and Engineer Ephraim Turinawe be punished.
Former town clerks Gordon Mwesigye and James Ssegane were each asked to refund sh1b for committing errors of omission and commission.
and Joyce Namutebi
FORMER city engineer James Byandala has been asked to refund sh900m to Kampala City Council (KCC). The council allegedly lost the money when Byandala allowed Sheila Investments to construct a storeyed building at Nakasero Market.
In its report on the market saga presented to Parliament on Wednesday, the local government accounts committee asked KCC to recover the money from his pension, gratuity and other sources of income.
Committee chairman Geoffrey Ekanya, who presented the report, asked the Inspector General of Government to help enforce the recommendation.
However, Byandala who the Katikamu North MP, dismissed the allegations as “rubbishâ€.
“I have the information. When I asked Ekanya to allow me give the committee evidence, he refused. I only allowed Sheila Investments to repair the water system, toilet and a chicken house,†he said.
According to the report: “Byandala confirmed that Sheila Investments illegally erected a storeyed building. He added that it was not in his area of jurisdiction, but that of the chief town planner who was in charge of development.
“He denied giving the company authority to erect a storeyed building without approved plans,†it added.
“However, as a technical officer, Byandala participated in awarding the Nakasero tender which was irregular.â€
Upon getting the contract, Sheila Investments on December 4, 2002, requested KCC to let them repair the toilets, water systems, park yard and chicken house.
However, the company owned by city businessman Hassan Basajjabalaba, also put up a storeyed building without their permission.
The vendors have opposed Basajjabalaba’s proposal to redevelop the market insisting that they have the means to do it themselves.
According to the report, Byandala did not supervise the project repairs nor did he avail certificates of completion.
“There was a conflict of interest on Byandala’s side since he was a consultant to the investor and also the city engineer,†the report noted.
The report also recommended that local government minister Kahinda Otafiire, former deputy director of finance Basil Bataringaya, deputy town clerk William Tumwine and Engineer Ephraim Turinawe be punished.
Former town clerks Gordon Mwesigye and James Ssegane were each asked to refund sh1b for committing errors of omission and commission.