The Inspectorate of Government has constituted an investigation into Posta Uganda over a wide range of administrative and financial anomalies, some of which include fraudulent procurement, diversion of staff salary, nepotism and general mismanagement.
A complaint sent to Ombudsman in April mentioned the Managing Director James Arinaitwe and Director Finance Emmanuel Okurut as being at the center of the gross rot.
Without disclosing details of the investigation, Ali Munira the IGG’s spokesperson told this news site yesterday that, “it is true we received a complaint in April this year which has many issues.”
Accusations
In the complaint, there are a claims that some staff are picked from the payroll and paid full amount in cash because they are closely related to Mr Arinaitwe. The report names Diana Kyarikunda and others as the beneficiaries of this scheme.
Further, Posta Uganda didn’t pay NSSF for the whole of last year yet deductions were made monthly on staff salaries and the money ended in the boss’ deep pockets.
There are also allegations that the Managing Director and his core team have sold off most assets of Posta Uganda, money diverted to personal ventures and no accountability made.
Mr Arinaitwe is also accused of influence peddling by ordering the Human Resource Manager to recruit a certain category of workers and also suffocating decision making at the organization.
This website has learnt that a decision was taken by Posta Uganda top management to procure 6 vans at $300000 to extend services of mail delivery to upcountry towns.
Money was released and cars bought. However, one of the vans was recently impounded by the supplier for non-completion of payment.
When contacted to substantiate on the allegations Mr Arinaitwe told this website that he was aware of the IGG’s investigation. “We shall give them facts,” he said in a whatsapp conversation.
He however, denied that no service van was impounded. “The vehicles are here at Posta. They were cleared.”