We shall sell off Rwakitura – says PAC MP
By George Murumba
5th Dec 2011:
Under threat: Museveni's home in Rwakitura
An angry member of parliament’s Public Accounts Committee [PAC] that is currently probing the irregular payment of billions of Shillings to NRM linked businessmen Hassan Bassajjabalaba and Col. John Mugyenyi has said a future government should, among others things, sell off President Museveni’s country home in Rwakitura to recover the losses he caused Uganda.
Speaking to this reporter on Tuesday 29th November after questioning former Attorney General Prof Kiddu Makubuya [now Minister for General Duties in the Prime Minister’s Office], the MP, who requested anonymity in order to speak freely said, “…I am now convinced beyond doubt that President Museveni is personally liable for the trillions of shillings that we [meaning Uganda] have lost because of his illegal directives.”
During his appearance before the PAC in the 8th parliament, NRM’s Entrepreneurs League Chairman and controversial city businessman Hassan Bassajjabalaba himself had confirmed that the Shs142bn that he got from government as compensation for the cancellation of his many market leases had been authorised by none other than President Museveni himself.
Former Attorney General Prof Kiddu Makubuya who handled Bassajjabalaba’s compensation claims also confirmed that the directive to pay Bassajjabalaba came from State House. “…My first encounter with these matters was through a letter from the President asking me to evaluate and compensate the developers,” Prof. Makubuya told the PAC on November 29th.
And the list of witnesses continues. Former Finance Minister Syda Bbumba also implicated President Museveni in the “scandalous” compensation claim. The latest official to link President Museveni to the multi-billion Shilling loss to Ugandan taxpayers was Bank of Uganda Governor Mr. Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebile, who said the President is his appointing authority and he cannot disobey his directives.
All the top government officials who are now falling over themselves to point the finger of blame at President Museveni may not, however, have their cake and eat it. Recent media reports suggested that nearly all of them failed the due diligence test and advice from the Ministry of Finance which required them to seek the Auditor Generals clearance before approving Bassajjabalaba’s payment.
The PAC MP who is now calling for President Museveni’s personal assets to be sold however said that whatever the case, the PAC deserves to be given credit for doing a great service to Uganda by exposing those who have stolen public money with impunity. “…We have to give credit to the PAC of the previous parliament and this one. Without it, Ugandans wouldn’t have known how much of their money is being stolen by government officials.” he said.
He however urged all “sleeping Ugandans” to wake up from their deep political slumber and start taking more interest and action in the socio-economic and political affairs of their country, arguing that ultimately, it’s not incumbent upon parliament’s PAC alone to fight corruption and recover stolen public funds.
“…The money that has been stolen does not belong to parliament. It belongs to the people of Uganda. I therefore urge all Ugandans to play a more active civic role to demand a full refund of what was stolen from them. If they are scared to do it now, then let them at least keep records of how much was stolen by whom so that in future when there is freedom, they can demand their money back.” the MP said.
The MP also said if need be, Uganda will nationalise President Museveni’s personal properties to recover the losses he caused the Ugandan taxpayer. “…We know that he [Museveni] is worth millions of dollars. If need be, a future government will sell off Rwakitura and Kisozi Ranch [Museveni’s personal farm] to recover a proportion of the money we lost because of him.” said the aggrieved MP.
State House has however maintained that the President only authorised the compensation and not the amount of Shs142bn. END. Please login to www.ugandacorrespondent.com every Monday to read our top stories and anytime mid-week for our news updates.
