Wildlife bosses linked to bribe allegations
Aug 10, 2010
TOP Uganda Wildlife Authority bosses were suspended on the basis of e-mails sent by a senior of¬ficial soliciting for a bribe from two investors. Among the bosses on forced leave is the head of the authority, Moses Mapesa.
By Gerald Tenywa
TOP Uganda Wildlife Authority bosses were suspended on the basis of e-mails sent by a senior of¬ficial soliciting for a bribe from two investors. Among the bosses on forced leave is the head of the authority, Moses Mapesa.
The e-mails reportedly originated from James Omoding, the conservation coordinator. He is accused of writing to Albrecht Oettingen and Christian Weth, asking for $3,000 (sh6m) as inducement, sources close to the probe said yesterday.
Mapesa and Sam Mwandha, the director for conservation, were suspended on Monday partly because they allegedly treated Omoding leniently.
Rather than face a fresh probe by the board, Omoding preferred to resign on July 30.
The e-mails were written between July 7, 2008 and July 10, when the two companies were negotiating for sport hunting contracts in Pian Upe, Amudat and east Madi reserves.
“I received e-mail correspondences between you and the partners, detailing negotiations and acknowledging receipt of $3,000,†said Mapesa in a letter of April 6, 2008.
“This is to demand a formal explanation over the cash transactions. Should your explanation not be satisfactory, you will face the disciplinary committee of the board.â€
Omoding responded in a letter of May 11, 2009.
He admitted receiving the money, but said it was payment for consultancy work he did for Oettingen.
“He had to pay for my services. I used my free time to render them my services,†Omoding said.
On the money from Weth, he noted: “This was a personal arrangement between Weth and me.†He said the Weths were family friends.
“I had financial difficulties, so I asked him to give me a loan,†he added.
Mapesa answered back, saying taking money at the time the men were negotiating for contracts did not rule out a possible conflict of interest or abuse of office.
He added: “Although I am con¬fident that you did not influence the contract awards, you could have indirectly received a reward for a favourable decision to the concerned parties, which is still improper. Your explanation is, therefore, acceptable, but stand warned.â€
Two months ago, a new board headed by Dr. Boysier Oumar Muballe was appointed and the matter resurrected.
In turn, Mapesa wrote to Omod¬ing asking him to cooperate “in an honest manner should the investi¬gations be instituted†.
Instead, Omoding threw in the towel, citing personal reasons. However, Muballe told New Vision on Monday that Omoding resigned due to the ongoing investigations.
TOP Uganda Wildlife Authority bosses were suspended on the basis of e-mails sent by a senior of¬ficial soliciting for a bribe from two investors. Among the bosses on forced leave is the head of the authority, Moses Mapesa.
The e-mails reportedly originated from James Omoding, the conservation coordinator. He is accused of writing to Albrecht Oettingen and Christian Weth, asking for $3,000 (sh6m) as inducement, sources close to the probe said yesterday.
Mapesa and Sam Mwandha, the director for conservation, were suspended on Monday partly because they allegedly treated Omoding leniently.
Rather than face a fresh probe by the board, Omoding preferred to resign on July 30.
The e-mails were written between July 7, 2008 and July 10, when the two companies were negotiating for sport hunting contracts in Pian Upe, Amudat and east Madi reserves.
“I received e-mail correspondences between you and the partners, detailing negotiations and acknowledging receipt of $3,000,†said Mapesa in a letter of April 6, 2008.
“This is to demand a formal explanation over the cash transactions. Should your explanation not be satisfactory, you will face the disciplinary committee of the board.â€
Omoding responded in a letter of May 11, 2009.
He admitted receiving the money, but said it was payment for consultancy work he did for Oettingen.
“He had to pay for my services. I used my free time to render them my services,†Omoding said.
On the money from Weth, he noted: “This was a personal arrangement between Weth and me.†He said the Weths were family friends.
“I had financial difficulties, so I asked him to give me a loan,†he added.
Mapesa answered back, saying taking money at the time the men were negotiating for contracts did not rule out a possible conflict of interest or abuse of office.
He added: “Although I am con¬fident that you did not influence the contract awards, you could have indirectly received a reward for a favourable decision to the concerned parties, which is still improper. Your explanation is, therefore, acceptable, but stand warned.â€
Two months ago, a new board headed by Dr. Boysier Oumar Muballe was appointed and the matter resurrected.
In turn, Mapesa wrote to Omod¬ing asking him to cooperate “in an honest manner should the investi¬gations be instituted†.
Instead, Omoding threw in the towel, citing personal reasons. However, Muballe told New Vision on Monday that Omoding resigned due to the ongoing investigations.