Ministers named in DPP’s Chogm letter claim innocence

Kampala

Some of the government officials named in the Director of Public Prosecutions letter to the Prime Minister as responsible for mismanagement of the 2007 Commonwealth summit yesterday denied being responsible for the mess. The DPP also yesterday refuted media reports that some ministers were left out of the list of those to be investigated.

Referring to Security Minister Amama Mbabazi whose name was missing on the DPP’s list although he has been named in a parliamentary report, the directorate’s spokesperson, Ms Jane Kajugo, said, “He (Mbabazi) is under investigations like any other person who misappropriated Chogm funds. The fact that he is not on the list doesn’t mean that he is not being investigated.”

She added: “When police finishes opening a file, as DPP we evaluate it and Mbabazi’s file, together with other ministers and officials are to be opened.” The May 14 letter to Prime Minister Apolo Nsibambi only cites 19 cases, one of them (Eng. Samson Bagonza) already disposed of by the Anti-Corruption Court.

Among those listed as being under investigation are Vice President Gilbert Bukenya, Mr Sam Kutesa (Foreign Affairs), Mr John Nasasira (Works), Mr Isaac Musumba (regional cooperation) and Mr Khidu Makubuya (Attorney General). But Mr Kutesa yesterday said he believed in the institutions that deliver justice and would wait for their investigations although “his hands were clean.” “I brought to Uganda a great summit and it was a success. I didn’t do anything that made government lose money but let us wait for their investigations.”
Prof. Makubuya said he had not seen the DPP’s letter because he is busy with the ICC conference. “I can’t get involved with such now but if he (DPP) wants me let him pick me from here (Munyonyo),” said the Attorney General.

Mr Charles Muganzi, the permanent secretary in the works ministry, also mentioned in the letter, said he has always been investigated although not charged whereas Mr Nasasira said his hands are clean. “I even don’t know why my name was mentioned. I am certain my hands are clean because despite the challenges we went through, Chogm was a success,” Mr Nasasira. “I am happy with the contribution we made to the success of Chogm.”

Meanwhile, Prof. Nsibambi yesterday said he had not received the DPP’s letter although Ms Kajugo said it was delivered to Minister Janat Mukwaya. Ms Mukwaya, the general duties minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, could not be reached but attendants in her office said they had received the letter and were yet to take it to the Prof. Nsibambi’s desk.