The bodyguard and driver of the former Bank of Uganda Executive Director in charge of supervision Ms Justine Bagyenda have been handed over to police for criminal investigation for telling lies to Parliament’s Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises which is probing the bank’s top officials over the controversial sale of commercial banks.
Mr. Job Turyahebwa and Ms Juliet Adikito yesterday told MPs that on March 14, 2018, they and their boss Bagyenda drove straight from Entebbe Airport to BoU offices yet the vehicle tracking system says otherwise, the three having made a stopover at Kiswa. BoU security officers Beatrice Kyambadde and Charles Moro were also sent to police for criminal investigations.
Yesterday Brig Gen Francis Tukahiirwa who led a select committee of Cosase was tasked to quiz Bagyenda’s aide Juliet Adikoti, Bagyenda’s driver Job Turyahebwa and security officers Charles Moro and Beatrice Kyambadde in a session attended by other BoU officials Dr J. Tibamwenda and David Kamurasi.
Ms Adikoti was the first person who appeared on CCTV and then Turyahebwa as they carried bags loaded with items inside. The two told the select committee of Brig. Tukahiirwa they did not know what was inside the bags. Adikoti said she was more concerned with security of Bagyenda than what was inside the bag. Driver job Turyahebwa said the same.
Both Ms Kyambadde and Charles Mr. Moro, the BoU security officers who were on duty on February 10, 2018 and March 14, 2018, respectively did not care to check what was in the bags that Bagyenda had moved out and brought in respectively.
On March 14, 2018 Moro was on duty when Bagyenda came to the bank offices in the evening Adikoti and Turyahebwa could later come out carrying bags which were lighter and not as heavy at the time they entered.
Brig. Tukahiirwa Security officers didn’t do what they were supposed to do. There was serious breach of BoU security policy which says all persons and items shall go through security screening without exception 10th February and 14th March, the rules were not adhered to
Bagyenda has failed to honour summons to appear before Cosase for three days now despite the Committee chairman calling her to appear. Her lawyers say Bagyenda will be arriving in the country from the Unites States on Sunday.
Ms Bagyenda who has been dodging parliament since Friday last week is believed to have moved from BoU critical documents related to the liquidation of the banks. The evidence is captured by CCTV cameras installed at the central bank.
Last week on Thursday, Bagyenda claimed she handed over quarterly progress reports concerning the liquidation of Greenland Bank. But the claims were refuted by her successor Dr. Tumubweine Twinomanzi, who said he never received the reports from her. BoU Governor Prof. Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile also said he has never seen the reports.
Greenland Bank’s loans were sold together with loans of International Credit Bank (ICB) and the. Cooperative Bank at Shs8.89 billion, following a 93 percent discount, to mysterious company Nile River Acquisition Company (NRAC). The amount comprised secured loans, unsecured loans, poorly secured loans and unknown loans.
BoU officials have failed to explain why they combine secured loans with the rest to sell them as a unit.