I did not steal Congo gold â€" Col. Mugyenyi
RETIRED Col. John Mugyenyi has denied stealing 15 kilos of gold from the Democratic Republic of Congo(DRC).
By Felix Osike
RETIRED Col. John Mugyenyi has denied stealing 15 kilos of gold from the Democratic Republic of Congo(DRC).
The Indian Ocean newsletter in its latest edition claimed that Mugyenyi was investing the proceeds of the stolen gold in real estate and was planning a $ 23m Kisekka Market project , Rhino Investments.
“I have never been in DRC, I do not have any trade links with Congo and I have never dealt in gold,†he told The New Vision.
The paper claimed that Mugyenyi was named in the UN Panel of experts report on the plunder in the DRC.
“My name did not feature in the UN panel of experts report or any other criminal investigations whether internal or external,†he said.
Although he acknowledged being a director in Rhino Investments, Mugyenyi said he acquired property through hard work over a 27 year service in the army. “Most of my property was acquired many years before these wars in Congo.â€
He said there was both success and failure in business. “But people here think that whenever one is successful, he has stolen,†adding that the article could have been posted by, “some Ugandans who are envious of hardworking people like me.â€
The paper claimed that Mugyenyi had a fleet of luxury cars including recent models of Mercedes Benz, Lexus and Hummers, which he would lease out during the CHOGM.
It also alleged that in 2001 he bought three Rover Redans cars, which he paid for in cash.
“I have never owned a Rover Redan and I have never been a treasurer in the army,†he added.
In the army, he served as the Director of personnel, division administrative officer the in eastern region, as commander of the Joint Anti-Terrorism taskforce and commander of the Joint Security Unit.
He also served as the commander for Entebbe Airport and all airfields.
Mugyenyi was later appointed the director for special operations in the army commander’s office and director procurement for four months before he retired in 2005.
RETIRED Col. John Mugyenyi has denied stealing 15 kilos of gold from the Democratic Republic of Congo(DRC).
The Indian Ocean newsletter in its latest edition claimed that Mugyenyi was investing the proceeds of the stolen gold in real estate and was planning a $ 23m Kisekka Market project , Rhino Investments.
“I have never been in DRC, I do not have any trade links with Congo and I have never dealt in gold,†he told The New Vision.
The paper claimed that Mugyenyi was named in the UN Panel of experts report on the plunder in the DRC.
“My name did not feature in the UN panel of experts report or any other criminal investigations whether internal or external,†he said.
Although he acknowledged being a director in Rhino Investments, Mugyenyi said he acquired property through hard work over a 27 year service in the army. “Most of my property was acquired many years before these wars in Congo.â€
He said there was both success and failure in business. “But people here think that whenever one is successful, he has stolen,†adding that the article could have been posted by, “some Ugandans who are envious of hardworking people like me.â€
The paper claimed that Mugyenyi had a fleet of luxury cars including recent models of Mercedes Benz, Lexus and Hummers, which he would lease out during the CHOGM.
It also alleged that in 2001 he bought three Rover Redans cars, which he paid for in cash.
“I have never owned a Rover Redan and I have never been a treasurer in the army,†he added.
In the army, he served as the Director of personnel, division administrative officer the in eastern region, as commander of the Joint Anti-Terrorism taskforce and commander of the Joint Security Unit.
He also served as the commander for Entebbe Airport and all airfields.
Mugyenyi was later appointed the director for special operations in the army commander’s office and director procurement for four months before he retired in 2005.