In a dramatic turn of events, the Director General of the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA), Robert Mukiza, has been directed to refund UGX 82,620,000, part of a total of UGX 500 million that was misappropriated as “Honoraria” from funds meant for the Namanve Infrastructure Development project.
The project had been stalled for five years, causing significant public and governmental concern.
The Minister of Investment, Evelyn Anite, described the unauthorized payments as “despicable, uncouth, barbaric, and uncultured.” She emphasized the underperformance of the UIA staff who, instead of advancing the stalled project, allocated themselves substantial sums from the project loan.
“I find the above despicable, uncouth, barbaric, and uncultured that people who have been tasked with the responsibility of delivering such a project within 5 years not only have they underperformed but also they are busy chest thumping and dishing to themselves huge sums of the project loan. All these tantamount to mischarge, abuse and corruption at the expense of taxpayers of Uganda. This is not in line with the vision of H.E the President of Republic Uganda, General Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of industrializing Uganda for job creation, wealth creation and social economic transformation,” stated Minister Anite.
Following a meeting with the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Matia Kasaija, and the UIA Board of Directors, Minister Anite issued a directive requiring the implicated staff to refund the misappropriated funds within 24 hours of receiving the order.
Failure to comply, she warned, would result in severe consequences.
The list of officials who received the honoraria on July 23, 2023, and the respective amounts includes:
- Robert Mukiza, Director General: UGX 82,620,000
- Dr. Paul Kyalimpa, Deputy Director General: UGX 58,140,000
- Patience Kabije, Contracts and Claims: UGX 43,596,952
- Bwambale Kyamakya John, Transactions & Contractual Risk Management: UGX 43,596,952
- Nassaka Amina, Contracts and Claims Assistance: UGX 17,206,732
- Akware Suzanne Okissa, Records Management: UGX 17,206,732
- Joanitah Kambedha, Documentalist: UGX 8,262,000
- Mwanga Muzamil, Driver: UGX 4,896,000
- Augustine Katale, Driver: UGX 4,896,000
In response to Minister Anite’s directive, the Chairman of the UIA Board of Directors, Morrison Rwakakamba, instructed UIA Director General Robert Mukiza to ensure compliance with the directive immediately.
This incident occurs amid a broader battle against corruption in Uganda.
Three Members of Parliament; Paul Akamba, Cissy Namujju and Moris Kibalya were imprisoned in Luzira for soliciting a 20% bribe from the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) to increase its budget.
The MPs involved are part of the budget committee.
Additionally, there is a movement within the Parliament to impeach commissioners who awarded themselves large sums as “service awards,” including former Leader of Opposition Mathias Mpuuga, who received UGX 500 million, leading to his dismissal by his party leader Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine.
President Yoweri Museveni, addressing the nation last week, declared that corrupt government officials would not be granted amnesty, reinforcing the government’s commitment to tackling corruption head-on.
As this situation develops, the call for transparency and accountability remains at the forefront, with significant public interest in how the UIA and other implicated officials will respond to the directives and broader anti-corruption measures.