Police freeze Twerwaneho Listeners Club’s bank accounts

On March 15, TLC reported that its bank accounts were frozen, following an order issued by the regional criminal investigation police department in Fort Portal.

The police have frozen the bank accounts for Twerwaneho Listeners Club (TLC), a Fort Portal-based non-governmental organisation, in a move they say is part of investigations into complaints of embezzlement of the club’s operation funds.

On March 15, TLC reported that its bank accounts were frozen, following an order issued by the regional criminal investigation police department in Fort Portal.

“On the morning of 15 March 2013, TLC representatives attempted to conduct transactions at two banks where TLC holds accounts, but were unable to do so, reportedly due to a letter sent to the banks by regional police, ordering the freezing of the accounts” a March 20 press statement from TLC reads in part.

The statement added: “It is feared that if the freezing continues, TLC will be unable to conduct its normal activities.”
When contacted on Thursday, the Regional Police Commander, Mr Wilson Kwanya, said: “They are being investigated. This came after some of their group members complained that money was embezzled. These are public funds, so until the matter is settled, they will not withdraw the money.”

Accusation
In January, TLC members in Fort Portal town complained of alleged mismanagement of more than Shs300 million by the organisations coordinator, Mr Gerald Kankya.

The complainants, who are the founding and board members, accused Mr Kankya and board chairman, Mr Joseph Kaahwa, of mismanaging funds meant for help the community in the last two years. The accused denied the allegations.

The complainants: Mr Jerome Bintamanya, Mr William Gonza, Mr Prosper Businge, Mr William Magezi and Mr Herbert Mugisa resolved that all activities of the club be suspended and called for investigations into the alleged mismanaging of funds.

“The management has mismanaged over Shs300 million in the last two years, forged accountability, forged signatures for some members and the chairman has never convened any meeting,” Bintamanya told journalists in January.

Earlier attempts to freeze bank accounts failed The complainants said they had tried to put a caveat on the accounts in January but were blocked by the Barclays bank management.

When contacted then, Mr Kankya said the claims are false. “Those are mere baseless claims. TLC has in its entire two years used Shs300m and reports were made both to donors and local partners. There is every single receipt for each activity implemented. These claims came up as a way to seek audience from management,” Kankya said.

TLC carries out human rights advocacy in various ways, including radio programmes and human rights monitoring in the Rwenzori sub-region.

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