Just 3 weeks ago, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni heaped praises on Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) executive director Allen Kagina for her incessant efforts in fighting corruption. This wasn’t the first time Museveni publicly commended Kagina as a corruption activist.
However, in a swift turn of events, TrumpetNews has learnt that President Museveni is bitter with Kagina after MPs sitting on Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) unearthed billions of tax payer’s money stolen under her watch. The Committee is chaired by controversial FDC legislator Abdu Katuntu, who as you read this, is now very close to the president.
Parliament jumps in
On Wednesday Museveni met Katuntu and his team who updated him on their investigations into the authority. So far the COSASE is doing wonders having compelled the Chinese contractor to refund billions of shillings it received from Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA). The committee ordered Chinese-owned Chongqing International Construction (CICO) to pay back Shs 1.8 billion it was paid by UNRA as a fine slapped on the authority for delaying to issue the company with an Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) certificate.
Further, the Roads Authority is still embroiled in many scandals despite her appointment to save the situation. It is remembered that after her appointment Kagina fired all staff whose names were tagged in the rot and a commission was constituted to investigate the mess that saw numerous faces jailed. However, reports indicate that Kagina is accused of nepotism as “most of her people” have occupied big positions at the authority. But this website couldn’t independently verify this claim. Our source in State House told us that during the Wednesday meeting MPs assured the president that whoever is named in the UNRA saga be it an individual or companies, must face the law.
Museveni snubs calls
Kagina is currently out of the country on official duties and returns on 12th December. But we are told that while away, she has been trying to reach her boss (Museveni) on phone but in vain. “Museveni is very bitter with her. He wonders why she is failing to wipe out corruption yet she has all the resources,” a source said. Adding that: “He thinks and rightly so,that Kagina hasn’t done much to stamp out corruption at UNRA and yet that’s the main reason she was brought in.”
More rot uncovered
Other reports suggest that there is a contractor (names withheld) who is peddling allegations against Kagina that she is facing tough times. “The mess happening at UNRA, Kagina is not responsible because she is inherited it. It nowhere in her contract. We know who is peddling those lies,” another source said.
Last October Kagina was grilled in Parliament over Auditor General’s report pinning Uganda National Roads Authority for failing to account for Twenty Three Billion Shillings. According to Auditor General’s report, UNRA failed to account for the Twenty Three Billion Shillings (Shs23bn) as balance of the planned cost of Fifty Six billion shillings (Shs56bn) to construct Mbarara-Kikagati Road.