Museveni faces PAC today over Shs270b

SOURCE: THE DAILY MONITOR, 21 DECEMBER 2011

IN SUMMARY

The President is expected to explain his alleged role in sanctioning payments to various companies.

Kampala

President Museveni is expected to meet the Public Accounts Committee today as a principal witness in the alleged loss of more than Shs270 billion in various compensation claims.

PAC chairman Kassiano Wadri told Daily Monitor yesterday that the committee had assembled sufficient documentary evidence to engage the President, whom they accuse of authorising controversial payments to businessmen and private companies.

The meeting will take place at State House Nakasero at 10am.
“We have seen a lot of denials in these compensation claims but we hope our meeting with the President is going to set records straight,” Mr Theodore Ssekikubo (Lwemiyaga) said.

“This marks the climax of the entire compensation saga and we expect the President to help the committee come up with a fair and balanced decision on the matter. I hope he takes the opportunity to give guidance to the nation.”

The President is expected to explain his role in the payment made to Basil Engineering, relating to construction of Jinja–Bugiri road (Shs36.4 billion), city businessman Hassan Basajjabalaba’s Haba Group (Shs142.6b), Col. John Mugyenyi’s Rhino Investments (Kisekka Market) Shs14.9b), National Forest Authority’s contract with Beach Side Development Services (Shs5.2b),among others.

Regarding Basajjabalaba’s compensation for loss of business, the committee has lined more than five letters bearing President Museveni’s signature in which he allegedly sanctioned the payments.

Mr Basajjabalaba, Minister Syda Bbumba, former Attorney General Khiddu Makubuya, Justice Billy Kainamura, Governor Bank of Uganda Tumusiime Mutebile among others, have since told PAC that it was the President who authorised the payments.