IGG probes Hoima leaders over fraud in USMID project

Kampala. The Inspectorate of Government has begun investigations into alleged fraud in the execution of roadworks in Hoima Municipality under the Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID) programme, Daily Monitor has learnt.
The IGG spokesperson, Ms Ali Munira, said their action follows a complaint by Mr Ibrahim Aseera, a resident of Mparo Division in Hoima Municipality.
“IGG is investigating the Hoima municipality USMID project because we received a complaint from one of the residents. At the moment, I cannot discuss details about the progress of the investigations,” Ms Munira said yesterday.

Hoima is one of the 14 municipalities that received funding under USMID, which is co-funded by the World Bank and the Uganda government.
In the first phase of the programme, the contractors were required to tarmac about four kilometres of roads in Hoima Town, including Kabalega, Government, Coronation, Persy and Old Tooro.
But Mr Aseera in his April 23 complaint to the IGG, claims that Tokor Engineering Ltd, a sub-contractor, has deliberately not paid local suppliers for their materials worth Shs135.1m.

He also said the quality of the works reportedly completed is questionable because the roads are already being repaired after developing cracks. This has left the benefiting community worried, he said.
“We suspect there was corruption in the construction process. We request IGG to come in for investigation. Some residents of Hoima Municipality are requesting to be invited for a meeting with World Bank officials, USMID officials, the contractor and IGG to express their concern over the construction of roads in Hoima,” Mr Aseera’s petition reads in part.

Mr Aseera, who is the leader of those who supplied materials for the construction works, told Daily Monitor that on top of the shoddy work, they want the IGG to find out why Tokor Engineering Ltd has refused to pay them despite Hoima Municipal Council releasing the funds.
“I have been arrested several times as I lead my colleagues to Hoima Municipal Council to claim our money. I was also chased out of a meeting, which was supposed to discuss our claims at the USMID offices in Kampala two weeks ago. IGG should investigate the connivance between Hoima Municipal Council, USMID officials and the sub-contractor in not paying us for materials supplied,” he said.

Non payment
The petitioner told IGG that he supplied aggregate, lake and plaster sand worth Shs8.3m but has always been threatened with arrest every time he goes to demand payment. Mr Aseera listed other people that have supplied trucks, mixers, vibrators and labour have not been paid since 2016.
Efforts to get a comment from the managing director of Tokor Engineering Ltd, Mr John Patrick Okiru, were futile as his known telephone contact was switched off.

However, the municipal town clerk, Mr David Kyasanku, said he is ready for the IGG investigation. He also urged Mr Aseera to act as per the resolution of the June 18 meeting by availing documentary proof so that he can be assisted.
“Let everyone, including the IGG, do their professional work to find the truth about the project. For that man [Mr Aseera], we are ready to help him get his pay so long as he avails documentary evidence. I have held payment for Tokor so that we sort all these complaints,” Mr Kyasanku said.

The USMID project coordinator, Mr Isaac Mutenyo, said they were aware of the nonpayment issues between Tokor and the suppliers.
“On June 18, we held a meeting at USMID offices in Kampala with Tokor officials, Hoima Municipal Council and Mr Aseera, the complainant. We concluded that Tokor should pay the complaints once the complaints submit genuine papers to Hoima Municipal council,” he said.

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