UWA’s Seguya cleared of graft

UWA’s Andrew Seguya

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Clean bill of health. IGG Irene Mulyagonja clears the official of allegations of causing the wildlife body a loss of Shs1.5 billion.

Kampala. Inspector General of Government (IGG) Irene Mulyagonja has cleared the Uganda Wildlife Authority executive director Andrew Seguya of allegations of abuse of office and causing financial loss to the institution.
The IGG, in the July 8 report to Tourism minister Maria Mutagamba, a copy seen by this newspaper, cleared Dr Seguya of 11 accusations, notably flying first class which he is not entitled to, causing UWA a loss of Shs1.5 billion ($450,000), authorising procurement of two ferry engines at an inflated price of Shs1.06 billion (£200,000), and hiring of his wife as his executive assistant.
Other allegations included paying Shs1.6 billion ($500,000) to a company to provide cashless payment services, paying himself the allowance meant for guards and instead using game rangers for personal security, allocating himself a cash allowance of Shs3.3 million ($1,000) for every travel outside the country.
Justice Mulyagonja, in the report, indicated that all claims could not be substantiated. For example, on the procurement of the two ferry engines, investigations established they were procured at Shs1.05 billion (£197,400) and not £200,000. “This procurement was carried out in compliance with the PPDA regulations and approved by the Solicitor General.”
The company to provide cashless services, the IGG established, had been procured by the United States overseas arm for development, USAID, which was supporting UWA on the project and not Dr Sseguya as it was alleged by the whistleblower.
Records also indicated Dr Seguya between 2013/2014 had taken eight trips which cost shs165 million ($50,000) and not 450,000. On the compliant of the guards, it was established the executive director is entitled to two security guards for his residence according to his employment contract which was yet to be enforced by the board.
Ms Mutagamba was unavailable by press time to confirm whether she had received copy of the report. The spokesperson of the IGG, Ms Ali Munira, said the complaints had been received last year and an investigations launched into the claims.
In a related devleopment, Daily Monitor has also seen another a July 3 report by the Deputy IGG George Bamugemereire clearing the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) executive director Stephen Assimwe of allegations of abuse of funds worth Shs440 million which was reportedly paid as per diem to each of the 20 UTB board members.
The funds were for staff travel to Kidepo National Park for a familiarisation tour.