Investigate BoU Governor Mutebile, UPC asks police

UPC spokesperson Okello Lucima addresses journalists in Kampala yesterday. PHOTO BY Dominic Bukenya

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Accusation. UPC claims part of $740m more than (Shs2 trillion) released from foreign reserve currency to fund the purchase of fighter jets was used to fund the 2011 elections.

KAMPALA. Uganda Peoples Congress party has asked police and Inspectorate of Government to investigate Bank of Uganda Governor Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebile over allegations that he was misled by government in 2011 to indirectly finance elections.
But Mutebile said yesterday: “I don’t care, let them go ahead. That is my position.”
UPC spokesperson Okello Lucima claimed part of $740m more than (Shs2 trillion) released from foreign reserve currency to fund the purchase of fighter jets was used to fund the 2011 elections.
Mr Lucima made the remarks during a press conference in Kampala yesterday.
Mr Mutebile last week said he was misled by government into indirectly financing electioneering activities in 2011, an action which plunged the country’s economy into chaos.

Misled
While addressing the 10th annual meeting of the African Science Academies in Kampala last week, Mr Mutebile said although the Central Bank did not directly print money for the elections, there were indirect expenditures by the government into areas that were not transparent.
“I can assure you that the Central Bank did not directly print this money but where government expenditure is directed to areas that are not completely transparent, I cannot determine how much of the money I have created ended up in political electioneering,” he said.

‘Govt funds misused’
However, Mr Lucima said revelations by Mr Mutebile should not be left to pass as it confirms the long held view of the population that NRM party used government resources to fund its elections.
Mr Mutebile also denied allegations that he took orders from above saying he has never accepted an order from President Museveni where such an order is inconsistent with his duties.