A group of Members of Parliament (MPs) have made it clear that they will do all that it takes to block the reappointment of Justine Bagyenda to the Financial Intelligence Authority for a second term.
Bagyenda is a former Bank of Uganda (BOU) executive director in charge of supervision.
The MPs led by Manjiya County legislator John Baptist Nambeshe urged that it would be a betrayal to the people of Uganda and particularly taxpayers to reappoint Bagyenda as member of the FIA board at the time when investigations into her alleged illicit wealth are not complete. Bagyenda is being investigated by the Inspector General of Government (IGG) Irene Mulyagonja.
In March leaked bank documents showed that Bagyenda had in three different bank accounts were found to about Shs19 billions. She is also alleged to possess various properties in and around Kampala
In May this year, Finance minister Matia Kasaija wrote to speaker of parliament suggesting the re-appointment of Bagyenda which has caused anger amongst members of parliament who demanded the appointments committee to consult with the IGG before approving Bagyenda.
Ngora County MP David Abala quoted the Book of Deuteronomy in the Bible it states that: “You shall not steal.” She urged Bagyenda to explain where she got the money and “I call upon the powers in Parliament to block her from appearing before the appointments committee.”
Nambeshe wondered why parliament was on intent to confirm the appointment of Bagyenda, alleging that she has accumulated wealth illegally. “We condemn her reappointment in the strongest terms possible and we call on the speaker to hear the cries of Ugandans because she will import her corruption tendencies to the Financial Intelligence Authority,” he said.
During a press conference, the legislators begged the appointments committee chaired by speaker Rebecca Kadaga to investigate the relationship between the finance minister Matia Kasaija and Justine Bagyenda.
Mbwa Tekamwa (Kasambya county) said: “Minister Kasaija is not himself credible because all the times he has been at loggerheads with parliament on the recently enacted mobile money act when he implied that it’s parliament who passed the 1percent taxes and am worried that he will play the same tricks and deny that his not responsible for Bagyenda’ appointment.”
Meanwhile, the African Parliamentary Network against Corruption Uganda Chapter has also said it does not support the reappointment of Bagyenda to the FIA board insisting that she cannot serve on such a board given the ongoing investigations against her.
The IGG recently said that investigations against Bagyenda were underway following allegations that the wealth she has accumulated is not commensurate with her earnings and that she would share the final report with relevant authorities.