'Bukenya must answer CHOGM charges'
May 10, 2010
THE parliamentary probe committee members on CHOGM expenditures clashed yesterday while writing the final report, which is expected to be presented to Parliament today.
By Mary Karugaba
THE parliamentary probe committee members on CHOGM expenditures clashed yesterday while writing the final report, which is expected to be presented to Parliament today.
Sources said the meeting, which took place at Parliament’s Training Suite, degenerated into a shouting match as the MPs argued for and against the recommendations.
Sources said committee chairman Nandala Mafabi (FDC), however, reigned in the members, who agreed to maintain the recommendation that President Yoweri Museveni takes action against Vice-President Prof. Gilbert Bukenya, together with several senior ministers, for abuse of office and financial impropriety.
Some members had reportedly wanted some ministers absolved in the report. The meeting was still going on by press time. An emergency NRM caucus meeting is scheduled for this morning ahead of the tabling of the report in the plenary.
The committee insists that Bukenya’s appearance before the committee last week did not change much as he failed to convince them on the issues raised against him in the auditor general’s report about the CHOGM expesnditure.
“The professor did not add value which could change the course of our recommendations. His submission actually confirmed our findings,†a source on the six-member committee said.
They said Bukenya, who chaired the Cabinet sub-committee, must answer for ordering the procurement of BMW cars worth sh9b without following the procurement rules. This, the MPs argued. Cost the Government billions of shillings.
Bukenya is also accused of influencing the construction of the road to his Garuga Hotel, which had not been budgeted for.
The MPs want him, as the overall supervisor, to answer for the delay of the procurement process, which they said, led to a rush at the last moment.
A source quoted the report as saying the works ministry in a letter in 2005 asked Bukenya to start the process early, but he did not act.
“When he stopped the car bids, it took the subcommittee three months to come up with a decision and ended up procuring the cars under the emergency case. Who caused that?†another source asked.
“We also note that he directed that negotiations to be held with BMW. Instead of concentrating on policy issues, he involved in the procurement hence conflict of interest,†the source said.
In a draft report that leaked to the press last month, the MPs said Bukenya’s action infringed on the procurement law.
“The procurement process was fraudulent and marred with irregularities, defeating competition which would ensure value for money. Bukenya’s actions were rude, with a hidden agenda,†the report added.
Appearing before the committee, after the intervention of Museveni, Bukenya said he did not regret the decision to lease the cars because the Government did not have money for outright purchase.
The report said Bukenya, and ministers Sam Kutesa (foreign affairs), Amama Mbabazi (security), Hope Mwesigye (agriculture), John Byabagambi (works), Sarapio Rukundo (tourism) and Khiddu Makubuya (attorney general) actions caused financial loss to the Government for which they must pay.
The ministers denied responsibility for the mess, saying it was a collective responsibility of the Cabinet. Kutesa has threatened to challenge the report in court if his responses to are not included.
THE parliamentary probe committee members on CHOGM expenditures clashed yesterday while writing the final report, which is expected to be presented to Parliament today.
Sources said the meeting, which took place at Parliament’s Training Suite, degenerated into a shouting match as the MPs argued for and against the recommendations.
Sources said committee chairman Nandala Mafabi (FDC), however, reigned in the members, who agreed to maintain the recommendation that President Yoweri Museveni takes action against Vice-President Prof. Gilbert Bukenya, together with several senior ministers, for abuse of office and financial impropriety.
Some members had reportedly wanted some ministers absolved in the report. The meeting was still going on by press time. An emergency NRM caucus meeting is scheduled for this morning ahead of the tabling of the report in the plenary.
The committee insists that Bukenya’s appearance before the committee last week did not change much as he failed to convince them on the issues raised against him in the auditor general’s report about the CHOGM expesnditure.
“The professor did not add value which could change the course of our recommendations. His submission actually confirmed our findings,†a source on the six-member committee said.
They said Bukenya, who chaired the Cabinet sub-committee, must answer for ordering the procurement of BMW cars worth sh9b without following the procurement rules. This, the MPs argued. Cost the Government billions of shillings.
Bukenya is also accused of influencing the construction of the road to his Garuga Hotel, which had not been budgeted for.
The MPs want him, as the overall supervisor, to answer for the delay of the procurement process, which they said, led to a rush at the last moment.
A source quoted the report as saying the works ministry in a letter in 2005 asked Bukenya to start the process early, but he did not act.
“When he stopped the car bids, it took the subcommittee three months to come up with a decision and ended up procuring the cars under the emergency case. Who caused that?†another source asked.
“We also note that he directed that negotiations to be held with BMW. Instead of concentrating on policy issues, he involved in the procurement hence conflict of interest,†the source said.
In a draft report that leaked to the press last month, the MPs said Bukenya’s action infringed on the procurement law.
“The procurement process was fraudulent and marred with irregularities, defeating competition which would ensure value for money. Bukenya’s actions were rude, with a hidden agenda,†the report added.
Appearing before the committee, after the intervention of Museveni, Bukenya said he did not regret the decision to lease the cars because the Government did not have money for outright purchase.
The report said Bukenya, and ministers Sam Kutesa (foreign affairs), Amama Mbabazi (security), Hope Mwesigye (agriculture), John Byabagambi (works), Sarapio Rukundo (tourism) and Khiddu Makubuya (attorney general) actions caused financial loss to the Government for which they must pay.
The ministers denied responsibility for the mess, saying it was a collective responsibility of the Cabinet. Kutesa has threatened to challenge the report in court if his responses to are not included.