Ex-Ubos chief takes on ISO over money laundering probe

Kampala. The former deputy executive director of the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (Ubos), Mr Francis Mashate, has criticised the Internal Security Organisation (ISO) over Shs250 billion money laundering probe.
Mr Mashate said the purported investigation being conducted against him is misleading the public because it has no basis.
In December last year, security officials attached to the ISO, released information about an investigation into alleged money laundering stating that agencies and ministries reportedly used to steal money from government coffers.
It was alleged the purported probe was sparked off after a $67.5m (Shs258b) was reportedly wired from US to Uganda under unclear circumstances.
Three people believed to be masterminds of the alleged scam have so far been arrested.
However, Mr Mashate yesterday broke the silence three months since the announcement of the said probe, describing the information as defamatory.

Accusation
“I challenge anyone to come up and testify against me. It is three months since the purported probe but I have never been arrested by anyone or jailed not even recording any statement anywhere as alleged.
“All I can state is whatever was said about me only to portray me as a bad person,” Mr Mashate said.
A visibly angry businessman told journalists in Kampala that the alleged probe has since eroded all the respect he had in society both locally and international.
“I have served this country and government for 27 years and retired with a clean record. How could I have turned to dubious dealings at this old age? This has caused embarrassment to my family, the government I served, and all the people I deal with,” he added.
He also challenged the government agencies to come out and explain how they left him walk scot-free without taking any legal procedure despite the case.

Investigations
ISO Director General Col Frank Kaka Bagyenda said in a telephone interview that investigations into the case were still ongoing.
“The investigations are ongoing until we get evidence to pin the suspected persons.
“There are some statements involving admissions but the groups involved in these cases are very hard to handle,” he said.
He attributed the delayed investigations to lack of enough personnel and other technicalities.