Kampala
The UK and US governments have secretly been working to impose a travel ban on a number of Ugandan officials, with Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Kutesa as the first choice for visa restrictions, over allegations they pilfered Chogm money.
US envoy Jerry Lanier in a diplomatic cable, leaked by whistleblower website, Wikileaks, told Washington: We regard Kutesas corruption as egregious, but believe Security Minister Amama Mbabazis continued misappropriation of public funds will have an adverse impact on US national interests in Uganda. Both ministers deny any involvement in corruption and have not been convicted in any courts of law.
MPs who investigated the Chogm spending, accused Mr Mbabazi of influencing selection of Balton (U) Ltd firm to supply TETRA communication equipment at an inflated $5m (Shs14b). They asked IGG Raphael Baku to carry out further investigations, which he did and cleared Mr Mbabazi.
Yesterday, Mr Baku, who said he had not cleared Mr Kutesa, accused by MPs of interfering in Chogm procurements for personal gain. The investigations are still ongoing, Mr baku said.
Former Vice President Gilbert Bukenya is the only other high-ranking government official, besides indicted former works chief Sam Bagonza, to face trial for allegedly siphoning part of the more than Shs500b monies.
Source: Monitor
The UK and US governments have secretly been working to impose a travel ban on a number of Ugandan officials, with Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Kutesa as the first choice for visa restrictions, over allegations they pilfered Chogm money.
US envoy Jerry Lanier in a diplomatic cable, leaked by whistleblower website, Wikileaks, told Washington: We regard Kutesas corruption as egregious, but believe Security Minister Amama Mbabazis continued misappropriation of public funds will have an adverse impact on US national interests in Uganda. Both ministers deny any involvement in corruption and have not been convicted in any courts of law.
MPs who investigated the Chogm spending, accused Mr Mbabazi of influencing selection of Balton (U) Ltd firm to supply TETRA communication equipment at an inflated $5m (Shs14b). They asked IGG Raphael Baku to carry out further investigations, which he did and cleared Mr Mbabazi.
Yesterday, Mr Baku, who said he had not cleared Mr Kutesa, accused by MPs of interfering in Chogm procurements for personal gain. The investigations are still ongoing, Mr baku said.
Former Vice President Gilbert Bukenya is the only other high-ranking government official, besides indicted former works chief Sam Bagonza, to face trial for allegedly siphoning part of the more than Shs500b monies.
Source: Monitor
