MPs ask 7 ministries to refund OIC cash

Lawmakers yesterday ordered seven ministries including the Office of the President to refund over Shs1.4 billion they received as advance payments for the Organisation of Islamic meeting in 2008.
Other ministries accused of “pocketing” cash meant for the hosting of the Organisation of Islamic Conference include; health (Shs99 million), ICT (Shs608.1m), internal affairs (Shs45m), local government (Shs96m), Prime Minister’s Office (Shs264m), President’s Office (Shs85.2m) and trade ministry Shs10.5m.

The National Chamber of Commerce which organised the OIC Business Forum has also been ordered to refund more than Shs244.7 million. “We have ordered all ministries and other agencies that received money for OIC and have failed to account for it to refund the money within 30 days,” PAC Chairman Nandala Mafabi said. “The law is clear on advances; all money should be paid within 60 days.”

Ambassader James Mugume, the PS Foreign Affairs, was in charge of organising the OIC, which was held in June 2008. About Shs9.6b was approved for the event. “We remitted funds to various accounting officers who were in charge of the OIC sub-committees,” Mr Mugume said.

“I have written several reminders to my colleagues but with little success.”Out of the amount disbursed, documents for Shs8.1billion were presented for audit leaving a balance of Shs1.4 billion.