BCU delegates accuse Mafabi of failure to account for Sh9B

MBALE:
The Bugisu Cooperative Union (BCU) delegates want accountability for Shs9 billion.

The delegates are accusing the Union chairperson, Mr Nathan Nandala Mafabi, who is also Budadiri West Mp and management of the union for failure to account for over Sh9 billion.
They made the remarks during the Special Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Bugisu Cooperative Union (BCU) In Mbale last Friday to amend some of the union’s by-laws at the union offices.
Mr Wilson Watira, a delegate from Buswalikha primary cooperative society in Bududa district said the money which was allegedly misused by the current leadership headed by Mr Nathan Nandala Mafabi was part of the money government sent to the union as compensation.

He adds that this was part of the money government sent to the union as compensation after government suspended the BCU board in December, 2010 on claims that it had falsified the books of accounts. This caused financial loss to the union.
Government then appointed a committee to investigate BCU operations between 2003 and 2010 but could not release the report due to various petitions they were receiving from other disgruntled members of the union.

This consequently prompted the ministry to order another forensic audit in December 2013 to look at accounts from 1996 to 2010.

The report exonerated Mr Mafabi of causing any financial loss to the union but asked him to return all the land titles in his possession which he did immediately.
“The Union chairperson, Mr Nandala and the management of the union failed to explain to us where the funds went despite our several demands for accountability. This is the union money we have a right to know the expenditure,” said Mr Watira.

Mr Watira who is also the District LC5 chairperson Bududa explained that there is something fishy and vowed he would have the matter investigated and the culprits brought to book.

“The board told us that some part of the money was used to rehabilitate the union stores, milling machines and to give Shs 7 million to each primary society, but nothing has happened” he said.

He observed that no primary cooperative society has benefited from that Sh9 billion, adding that there is no value for money.

“Primary cooperative society has not managed to buy coffee from the farmers due to lack of funds. We had suggested that each Society gets Sh7 million to enable them buy coffee,” he said.

He noted that once the clear accountability is not given to them, the Union management will face the law. The BCU has about 270 primary societies.

However Mr Mafabi dismissed allegations by the BCU delegates that he misused the money.

“We have the money and we want to start renovating the BCU structures. Why do you look at income without looking at expenditures,” said Mr Nandala, adding that the union wants to install a radio station.

He further blamed the poor service delivery in the union on people who keep petitioning government, and security.

“When you move seven meters away, they [Petitioners] pull you five metres down,” he said, adding that he spent most time at the police headquarter being interrogated by detectives which has “made my work difficult.”
Minister of State for Cooperatives, Mr Gume Fredrick Ngobi promised to solve problems affecting the BCU.