DPP quizzed over sh3b for Besigye case lawyers
Feb 06, 2008
MPs have queried the payment of about sh3b to six private lawyers involved in the treason case against FDC president Col. Kizza Besigye and 22 others.
By Mary Karugaba
MPs have queried the payment of about sh3b to six private lawyers involved in the treason case against FDC president Col. Kizza Besigye and 22 others.
The lawyers are Chalice Kalumiya, Elly Karuhanga, Peter Kabatsi, Oscar Kambona, Sam Mayanja and David Mpanga of Kampala Associated Advocates.
The deputy Director Public Prosecutions (DPP) in charge of administration, Amos Ngolobe, said the money was paid to beef up the prosecution team “given the gravity and urgency of the matterâ€.
Ngolobe clarified that the money was paid in installments of sh1b and sh1.9b through a supplementary budget for the financial year 2005/6, approved by Parliament.
He told the public accounts committee that the procurement and negotiations for the lawyers were done by the justice ministry, not the DPP.
However, the MPs asked Ngolobe to explain why the Government rushed to pay for the services before the completion of the trial in the High Court.
Ngolobe was also asked to explain why he did not follow the public procurement procedures when soliciting for the services. The MPs asked him to go back and produce all the documents related to the matter.
MPs have queried the payment of about sh3b to six private lawyers involved in the treason case against FDC president Col. Kizza Besigye and 22 others.
The lawyers are Chalice Kalumiya, Elly Karuhanga, Peter Kabatsi, Oscar Kambona, Sam Mayanja and David Mpanga of Kampala Associated Advocates.
The deputy Director Public Prosecutions (DPP) in charge of administration, Amos Ngolobe, said the money was paid to beef up the prosecution team “given the gravity and urgency of the matterâ€.
Ngolobe clarified that the money was paid in installments of sh1b and sh1.9b through a supplementary budget for the financial year 2005/6, approved by Parliament.
He told the public accounts committee that the procurement and negotiations for the lawyers were done by the justice ministry, not the DPP.
However, the MPs asked Ngolobe to explain why the Government rushed to pay for the services before the completion of the trial in the High Court.
Ngolobe was also asked to explain why he did not follow the public procurement procedures when soliciting for the services. The MPs asked him to go back and produce all the documents related to the matter.