Dr Clet Masiga Wandui, the Executive Director (ED) of Tropical Institute Of Development Innovations (TRIDI) has responded to TrumpetNews, maintaining that he has no influence on the PAC’s investigations on COVID-19 expenditures.
In a statement TRIDI doesn’t mention anywhere how he obtained the shs 2 billion which was diverted to TRIDI’s account in 2021, but earlier earmarked for PRESIDE.
TRIDI and its CEO also couldn’t indicate why money was channelled to the institute’s account and what activities did it facilitate.
This irregular payment was unearthed by the Auditor General John Muwanga.
“I further noted from the review of MoST’s payment file for the FY 2020/2021 that UGX 2,060,000,000 had been disbursed to Tropical Institute of Development Innovations (TRIDI) as a transfer of 4th quarter of FY 2020/2021 to the subvention for commercialization of Sericulture Technologies on April 20 2021.”
The Auditor General indicated that the shs 2b had been released on voucher number R226/APR2021 and this money didn’t have any covid related activities and “was neither approved for funding under PRESIDE.”
This website established that the money was authorized by PS David Obong and Principal Accountant Ibrahim Mukwaya on April 8 2021.
When the Auditor General interviewed Mukwaya he said the payment was authorized for processing as per the memo in line with approval of finance committee as advised by the policy and planning.
The Auditor General was unable to interview David Obong the former Permanent Secretary.
Whereas members of Parliament on PAC have in possession the whole Auditor General’s report, they have chosen to divert their energies to grilling the Minister of Science and Innovation Dr Monica Musenero and exonerating TRIDI and it’s administrators about the disappearance of the shs 2b.
Below is TRIDI’s Response to TrumpetNews.
CLARIFICATION ON ALLEGATIONS MADE ABOUT TRIDI BY TRUMPET NEWS PUBLICATION ON 27th/03/2023
Tropical Institute Of Development Innovations (TRIDI) has since noted with concern the allegations making rounds on Trumpet news Website alleging that TRIDI has a direct influence on PAC’s investigations on Covid-19 expenditures.
The same website also alleged that TRIDI’s Executive director, Dr. Clet Wandui Masiga comes from the same village with MP Budadiri West, Hon.Nathan Nandala Mafabi and that is why the minister for Science, Technology and Innovation is being investigated on COVID 19 funds.
It is against this background that TRIDI is disassociating itself from all allegations made.TRIDI has a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Uganda which clearly states the roles and Mandates of the Auditor General on projects funded by Government of Uganda. It is brought to your understanding that TRIDI has been receiving funding from government since 2017 and has been submitting all accountabilities to the Office of the Auditor General. Therefore, TRIDI has no business and influence in what the Office of the Auditor General does with the reports. Since TRIDI started receiving funds from government, each year, the Auditor General audits government funds and it is the office of Auditor General who knows what to do with Audit reports.
TRIDI would also like to clarify that its Executive Director Masiga does not come from the same village with Hon Nathan Mafabi as alleged by Trumpet News. It must be clearly ascertained that Dr. Masiga comes from Bulambuli district while Hon. Mafabi comes from Sironko district despite the fact that these two districts are all located in Bugisu. While the two know each other, the PAC business has nothing to do with TRIDI and it’s Executive Director MASIGA.
TRIDI has since taken a strong stand against having an influence in the decision of Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and has no mandate to influence any investigation ongoing something which was alleged by the same website.
On Political affiliations, Masiga subscribes to the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party while Hon. Mafabi subscribes to FDC. Therefore, TRIDI as an independent Institution would like to disassociate itself from the allegations made on Trumpet News Website, twitter and has no involvement in PAC’s ongoing investigations on the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovations Dr.Monica Musenero or any other institution or person.
TRIDI is the leading implementer of the Sericulture project in Uganda and envisions increased industrialization and export development through sustainable adoption of Sericulture technologies and Innovations in Uganda.
Thank you
CHRISTINE AWOR
PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,TRIDI