OPM probe: police boss fires back at minister

Ms Akullo says she is aware that so many people are trying to fail the investigations in the Office of the Prime Minister.

KAMPALA

The director of the Criminal Investigations and Intelligence Directorate (CIID) has said she will not stop investigations into corruption in the Office of the Prime Minister or any other government organ.

Ms Grace Akullo, who was responding to a letter written by Prof. Tarsis Kabwegyere, the Minister of General Duties, to Internal Affairs Minister Hillary Onek, stopping police investigations into mismanagement of funds in the OPM, said she would continue doing her work professionally. “I am aware that so many people are trying to fail these investigations using several methods and channels. But I can tell you that I will not stop the investigations,” Ms Akullo said.

“This is a mandate given to us by the appointing authority that needs results. So, we shall continue with the investigations and submit the files to the Director of Public Prosecutions to determine whether to prosecute them or not.” A letter by Prof. Kabwegyere said the OPM investigations have dragged on for more than a year, lost focus and had turned disruptive.

The probe
Police are investigating at least Shs60 billion that was allegedly mismanaged in the Peace Recovery and Development Plan (PRDP) project for northern Uganda. Ms Akullo said investigating fraud is not as easy as “is the case with catching a chicken thief, it takes time and resources”. “We have over 180 case files we are investigating, which we can’t do overnight,” she said.

On the issue of delays, Ms Akullo said senior officers in the OPM and other ministries, including Permanent Secretary Pius Bigirimana, have refused to record statements in regard to mismanagement of funds. “We have written to PS Bigirimana to record a statement with our detectives to help us understand how the funds were used, but up to now he has refused. How can we fast track the investigations when people who claim to be whistleblowers don’t want to cooperation?” she said.

On Monday, detectives waited for the OPM under Secretary, Ms Flavia Waduwa, to record a statement, but she did not appear.

Detectives were yesterday forced to arrest Ms Waduwa after refusing to appear before detectives.
The CIID recommended that OPM officials under investigations should be sent on leave, which the OPM top officials have refused to implement.

abagala@ug.nationmedia.com