Kampala: The Inspector General of Government has said she will give President and parliament a report from her investigations on Bank of Uganda’s Justine Bagyenda as soon as its ready.
“We don’t give details on our investigations and we don’t reveal our investigations because it alerts the witnesses. Illicit enrichment is an offence and is she has acquired asserts illegally, we will move on her” Justice Irene Mulyagonja said
Adding “We will give a report on Bagyenda to the president and the Parliamentary Committee on State Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE)”.
Justice Mulyagonja welcomed the committee that was unveiled by President Yoweri Museveni yesterday during the State of Nation Address saying it was a welcome in the fight against corruption.
“We have facts on how this institution works and there is no loss of confidence at all but we want to thank the president think that way. First of all, the torn at the top has to be heard. But if the president feels we don’t do sufficient work, we are happy that he has established another unit but there are many complaints”
Mulyagonja gave reference to South Africa and Kenya said whereas there are three bodies in those countries charged with fighting craft, in Uganda it is only the Inspectorate of Government that is charged with fight corruption, maintaining integrity and ethics among government employees. She revealed that the biggest change they face is limited funding.
She also revealed that it wasn’t Bagyenda alone under such investigations but also a one William Tumwine from Uganda National Roads Authority who is reportedly under probe for possessing more than 100 land titles and properties.
“Our budget is Shs45 billion a year and you are fighting corruption in a budget of Shs33 trillion with Shs45 billion. Imagine we have 16 regional offices and at each regional office, we have five investigators and budget of Shs6 million every month which is supposed to be operational fund plus two vehicles but in a region like Busoga, we have 10 districts in that region and who will this money be enough?
IGG is investigating Bagyenda, over allegations that she evaded paying income tax for ten years on revenues earned from her Naguru apartments.
Bagyenda is said have rented her apartments to the top officials of the defunct Crane Bank, earning millions of shillings without paying income tax as required by law.
On October 7, Eagle Online published a story in which a one Dick Kimeze reported Ms Bagyenda to IGG for non-payment of taxes. The source at the time told Eagle Online, the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), the national tax collector had already begun investigations into the said tax evasion.
Mid this year Ms. Bagyenda came under criticism for allegedly failing to enforce her mandate, something her critics said had led to the closure of a couple of commercial banks including the Crane Bank, that is now under receivership.
Also, at about the same time reports indicated that the Inspectorate of Government (IGG) was set to begin investigations into allegations that Ms. Bagyenda made incorrect declarations contrary to the Leadership Code, 2002.
Among the property she allegedly falsely-declared are houses in the leafy suburbs of Ntinda, Naguru, Bugolobi and Kulambiro.
“When I wrote the letter I got confirmation from the IGG and I was to get an appointment with the official handling the matter but later on the person went abroad and we have now scheduled between 10th and 20th to meet,” lawyer Nyombi, who is representing ‘whistleblower’ Dick Kimeze, said.
In his allegations, Mr. Kimeze also avers that the properties owned by Ms. Bagyenda are way above what she has earned during her employment over the years.
