MPs call for vice-president to be prosecuted for fraud

A parliamentary committee in Uganda has called for Vice-President Gilbert Bukenya and three other ministers to be prosecuted for allegedly embezzling millions of euros that should have been spent on the Commonwealth heads of governments in Uganda in 2007.

Photo: Reuters

The leaked report calls for Bukenya and his colleagues to be prosecuted for fraud.

Accounts from the Auditor General's office indicate that up to 200 million euros were misused, embezzled or paid out to service providers in unauthorised dealings.

President Yoweri Museveni directed the parliamentary committee on public accounts to investigate and bring the culprits to book.

The committee interrogated the officials named and recommends that Vice-President Gilbert Bukenya, Foreign Minister Sam Kutesa, Minister in charge of local government Hope Mwesigye and  all be held accountable for their dealings.

Bukenya is accused of unlawfully authorising a contract to a car supplier. The deal not only caused the government a loss of three million euros from sub-standard vehicles but also violated standard procurement procedures.

The vice-president earlier rejected a summons to appear before the committee to explain the deal, claiming that his position gives him immunity to investigation by the probe team. 

Also listed in the 174-page report are:

• Security Minister Amama Mbabazi, who is said to have flouted procurement procedures to source security gadgets for the conference;
• Minister in charge of local government Hope Mwesigye, named for the misuse of money that was meant to fix roads and beautify the city;
• Foreign Minister Sam Kutesa, who is linked to the company to which Bukneya awarded the contested contract.

The MPs advise that the officials face prosecution in courts of law.

Museveni has met the investigating team and denied directing any ministers to release unauthorised money. The president has also asked the MPs to give his deputy one last chance to explain his dealings.