Uganda to pay back 4m in Irish Aid

mzurimie · 2012-11-05T13:49:37+00:00

29th Oct 2012 UGANDA'S prime minister has said he did not pocket any of the 4m in Irish Aid funding that ended up in a bank account operated by officials from his office. Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore has suspended the 16m in aid due to go to the African country through its government. A team of Irish Aid auditors is in Uganda, and Ireland's ambassador Anne Webster will meet Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi today. Mr Mbabazi says he knew nothing about the misappropriation of 12m, including 4m from Ireland, and apologised for what had happened. Arrested "I didn't even know. No money was ever paid to me and I never handled money. As prime minister I never handle money of government. Never," he said on RTE's 'This Week'. The Irish Aid auditors are working with Uganda's Auditor General, other international donors affected and the Irish embassy. Ms Webster and senior diplomats from other embassies will meet Mr Mbabazi today in the capital, Kampala. The Government insists no Irish Aid money goes through Mr Mbabazi's office, which only has responsibility for the policy of the aid programme affected, not funding. The principal accountant in Mr Mbabazi's office has been arrested and is on remand. President Yoweri Museveni has instructed the police to indict the dozen or so officials implicated in misappropriation. Mr Mbabazi said he never had any reason to be suspicious of the activities of officials, despite reports that the fraud was orchestrated from the basement of his office building. "My involvement is limited to policy. The management of public funds according to our constitution is in the hands of our public officials," he said. "The accounting officer reports to the treasury and the Auditor General reports to parliament, so most times when we hear queries we hear them from the Auditor General." Mr Mbabazi said he was not notified that Irish Aid funding was being suspended. The first he heard was through media queries in Uganda and contact from a friend in Ireland. European Affairs Minister Lucinda Creighton said the Government was not going to cut off all contact with Uganda on foot of the incident. "It is, in fact, ironically, a sign of strong government in Uganda that this can be uncovered," she said. 05/11/2012 THE Government of Uganda is to repay 4m of Irish Aid funding which was transferred into unauthorised accounts. Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore confirmed he has had assurances from the highest level in the African country that the money, which was misappropriated by corrupt officials, will be paid back in full. The prime minister of Uganda, Patrick Amama Mbabazi, last week denied any knowledge of the fraud through his office and insisted none of the missing money was ever paid to him. Two of his senior Government officials are on remand facing prosecution, while 17 have been suspended without pay while investigations continue. Mr Gilmore said: "It is critical that the full force of the law be applied to those who engage in fraudulent activities and that systems are strengthened to fight corruption." **** nimetoa gazeti la ulaya liitwayo Independent.

Thread starter mzurimie
Start date Nov 5, 2012

mzurimie

JF-Expert Member

Nov 5, 2012

Capital

JamiiForums uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.

Accept Learn more…

Back

Top Bottom

Forums

New posts

Uganda to pay back 4m in Irish Aid

mzurimie

JF-Expert Member

Capital

JF-Expert Member

Our Community

Regional Communities

Uganda to pay back 4m in Irish Aid