IGG clears ex-UIA boss, orders review of employees’ contracts

Kampala. The Inspectorate of Government has cleared former Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) executive director Jolly Kaguhangire of among others, illegal recruitment of staff, paying of online media news sites to fabricate stories against some staff and receiving a Shs400b bribe from investors.

Other allegations Ms Kaguhangire was cleared of include diverting funds to from UIA for her travels, and sponsoring her husband’s travel to Russia using the Authority’s resources.

Ms Mariam Wangadya, the deputy Inspector General of Government, in a report dated May 7, a copy seen by Daily Monitor, also directed UIA chairperson Emely Kugonza “to consider” reviewing contracts of several staff members the board hired without the requisite qualifications.

The staff, whose suitability are queried are include, Mr Mark Wagubala, Mr Simon Paul Ngabo, Kara Tanya Komuhangi, Ms Alice Ndagire, Mr Adam Mutebi and Ida Dean Rwego.

The investigations
The investigations followed a complaint against Ms Kaguhangire, who was subsequently sacked in October last year, just a year after taking over the job.

Her exit was exacerbated by a fallout with the UIA former board after she unveiled raft measures to revamp the institution including restructuring of all staff.
Yesterday, Ms Kaguhangire declined to comment on the developments. UIA is a statutory body charged with investment promotion and facilitation.

Finance minister Matia Kasaija in February sacked 13 board members from UIA, only retaining Mr Kugonza as the chairman.
Ms Wangadya indicated in her report that there was no evidence to show that Ms Kaguhangire had neither allowed her husband to use UIA facilities nor travel to Russia using company resources.
Investigations also found there was no evidence to show that Ms Kaguhangire had received a bribe to allocate eight acres of land to Hoima Sugar Work, Nile Fireboard Tasco Industry.

The report also indicates that the hiring of staff - an executive assistant, personal assistant, office assistant, and personal driver - that Ms Kaguhangire was accused to have done irregularly - was approved by the board in 2017.
It is, however not clear whether Ms Kaguhangire’s exoneration implies her return to office.

Mr Kugonza yesterday told Daily Monitor there was no chance that Ms Kaguhangire will be reinstated at the investment agency.
“If you look at what the IGG investigated, those are things contained in the whistleblower’s report but as management we also did our own investigations on which we terminated her,” he said.

The board specifically accused her of among others misuse of office, gross insubordination, incompetence, concealment of misinformation, and defiance.

The time line
June 20: IGG petitioned to investigate Ms Jolly Kaguhangire
June 26: Kaguhangire interdicted, UIA starts own investigation, Bazil Ajer appointed acting Executive Director.
June 27: Ms Kaguhangire refuses to leave office
June 29: Ms Kaguhangire forced out of office
July 5: Ms Kaguhangire, UIA meet President museveni, he asks her to abide and hand over
July 11: Hand over is conducted without Ms Kaguhangire.
September: Ms Kaguhangire sues UIA.
September 11: She declines to appear before UIA investigation committee
End of September: Ms Kaguhangire drops case against UIA
October 26: UIA fires Ms Kaguhangire.
October 29: Acting executive director Bazil Ajer resigns
December 20: Recruitment process for new executive director begins.
February 2019: Mr Ajar leaves UIA ahead of notice date. Mr Lawrence Byensi is appointed acting Executive Director
February 6: Contracts of 13 board members are terminated. Chairman retained.

[email protected]