PARLIAMENT: The Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga has announced a Select Committee to probe the alleged irregularities in the payment of about Shs151 billion (US$41 million) to Ugandan companies that supplied goods and services to individuals and the South Sudan government but could not be paid because of the war that erupted there years ago.
MPs last week resolved to form a Select Committee to investigate the payments after some legislators queried the criteria that was used to select the 10 companies that have already benefitted from a Shs10 billion payment.
Chua West MP Okin Ojara queried why the government has taken long to have more companies benefit from the money set aside for that purpose even as had been endorsed by a parliamentary resolution as a requirement before any company is paid.
Dokolo Woman MP Cecilia Ogwal argued that the 10 companies that were selected to get a Shs10 billion payment had the same individuals, warning that there could have been duplication with some beneficiaries being paid twice.
“Why are you only picking 10 companies which were even paid earlier on? When you look at the analysis, you will find that the 10 companies have the same individuals circulating,” Ms Ogwal said.
The Select Committee will be chaired by the Kyankwanzi Woman MP Anne Maria Nankabirwa and will report to Parliament in 45 days.
Other members of the Committee are; MPs Stella Kiiza, Herbert Ariko, Maurice Kibalya Kyomuhendo Mbabazi and Mathias Mpuuga.
Ms Kadaga said that the Committee will verify the actual beneficiaries of the money following the bilateral agreements and also establish the criteria of selection and methodology by the government.
