{UAH} Bribery: How Finance Ministry officials were netted- 4 others still at large

Bribery: How Finance Ministry officials were netted- 4 others still at large

March 29, 2017

- A

The mood at the Ministry of Finance Planning, and Economic development in Kampala can best be described as 'Terrible'' following the arrest of two senior officials for allegedly asking and pocketing bribes from Chinese investors.

President Museveni has in the past come out strongly to condemn extortion of investors by civil servants, which he says has frustrated local investment.

READ: Stanbic Bank CEO pockets one billion after 2016 bumper harvest

The Chinese investors connected to a project in the education ministry badly needed to meet the president- they had tried all means and failed, till they landed on the 'Angels' at the Ministry of Finance- Charles Ogol, the commissioner for development assistance and regional cooperation and Geoffrey Turyamuhika, an assistant commissioner for private sector.

Sources say, the officials asked for Ugx. 200m from the investors to schedule a meeting with the president.

The investors finally met the president; unfortunately, the meeting lasted barely five minutes. The president was speeding up for a special IGAD summit called to discuss the problem of Somali refugees in Nairobi, Kenya. THe apologized and asked to reschedule the meeting

The incensed investors [after paying their Ugx. 200m) whispered to each other before asking the president: ''Shall we pay again for the next meeting?''

At this point, the president who was in a rush, sat again and asked for a pen and paper. The president asked: Who did you pay the money? How much did you pay? When did you pay the money? Where did the payment take place? Etc

The investors without delay answered all the questions to the president's satisfaction.

The investors told the president that they had paid Ugx. 200m for the meeting. And that they were supposed to pay another $ 500,000 about Ugx. 1.8 billion to process all the necessary documents with the relevant bodies, including Uganda Investment Authority.

At this moment, the Chinese asked the president, whether they should go ahead to pay the money.

The president asked them when they intend to pay, where and to whom. Mr. Museveni reportedly assigned a SFG (dressed in civilian clothes) to accompany the investors as they dropped the cash to the officials at the ministry of Finance.

Meanwhile, four trucks of SFG and Police being prepared to move to the ministry of Finance offices to seal off the place- At the ministry, no one would enter the premises, while those inside were not allowed to move out.

As the investors dropped the cash to the Finance officials who were enthusiastically waiting for the cash, the SFG officer accompanying the investor signaled to his colleagues to seal off the place.

After receiving the cash, another police official entered the room and asked what was in the box that was found in room.

The commissioners arrogantly replied that 'those where items for their boss, which [boss] they did not name. As this went on, about ten well armed SFG and police officers entered the room.

At this point, the officers tried to cooperate, it was too late. The Box was forcibly opened only to find brand new notes. As they say, the rest is History.

Panic at the ministry of Finance

Earlier on, the Chinese had complained that Ugx. 1.8 billion was too much. The commissioners reportedly told the investors that the figure looked high, however, they had to share with six other colleagues. The four others were not part of the meeting when the Chinese delivered the cash.

With their careers and jobs gone, Plus the experience they are undergoing through at the Nalufenya Police Station in Jinja district, the new home for the Police's Special Investigations Division charged with investigating sophisticated crimes, it remains to be seen whether they will cover up their other four colleagues who are still at large.

One also wonders whether such high-level corruption scandal that involves exchange of big sums of money can happen without the knowledge of senior officials at the ministry. Your guess is as good as ours.

Living large

Reports indicate some officials at the ministry Finance living large- drive latest cars, own several upscale apartments, huge chunks of land, etc. Unfortunately, if you took an audit, things don't add up. Commissioners at the Ministry of Finance earn One Million shillings per month. There are reports that many of them the main sponsors of city moneylenders.

For now, some Finance officials are spending sleepless nights and live in fear and more so those who have been part of the stealing group.

--

Gwokto La'Kitgum

----------------------------------------------------------------

"Even a small dog can piss on a tall building" Jim Hightower

--
Disclaimer:Everyone posting to this Forum bears the sole responsibility for any legal consequences of his or her postings, and hence statements and facts must be presented responsibly. Your continued membership signifies that you agree to this disclaimer and pledge to abide by our Rules and Guidelines.To unsubscribe from this group, send email to: ugandans-at-heart+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com