KAMPALA: President Museveni has constituted a five member tribunal led by High Court judge Catherine Bamugemereire to investigate alleged abuse of office and mismanagement at the Uganda National Roads of Authority (UNRA).
The tribunal was announced today by Works minister John Byabagambi at a press conference at the ministry’s headquarters in Kampala.
The committee, Mr Byabagambi, said will among others investigate the cost of road works in the country, previous scandals, and methodology used to award contracts.
“The President in exercise of his powers established the commission of inquiry into the allegations of abuse of office, and corrupt practices in UNRA,” he said.
Lady Justice Bamugemereire is famous for the KCCA tribunal in 2013 which was tasked to probe fights at City Hall between executive director Jennifer Musisi and Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago.
The tribunal will comprise of Mr Ben Okello Luwum, Mr Abraham Nkata, Mr Patrick Rusongoza, and Mr Richard Mungati. Others will include Mr Andrew Kasirye as lead counsel and deputized by Ms Mary Kutesa, and Mr Charles Emuria as secretary to the tribunal and deputized by Mr Danile Ratiba.
Eng. Byabagambi, revealed that the committee will be multi-disciplinary in order to be able to cover a variety of issues.
The tribunal will also flash torch into financial management, supervision of roads construction, management of weigh-bridges in the country and methodology to compensate project affected persons.
It is not yet known when the tribunal will commence work but the minister said it produce a report with recommendations to the president. “Criminal proceedings will be taken accordingly on persons involved,” he added.
UNRA’s executive director, Allen Kagina, said the tribunal is timely for an audit because the works sector consumes a lion’s share of the country budgets. The roads sector has for the last four financial years been prioritized gy government and allocated the biggest percentage from the budget.
Next financial year 2015/2016 which starts in July works and transport was allocated Shs3.3 trillion representing 18 percent of the total budget.
UNRA’s board chairperson Agnes Kiryabwire said they will accord support to the tribunal in all ways during its course of work.