LIVE UPDATES: Oil Debate in Parliament

7:53pm:- House adjourned to 11am
• Speaker Kadaga rules: I think what Hon Amongi said is that there are some UPDF she doesn’t see everyday because she knows everyone.
• Gen Elly Tumwine stands on a point of order that its not in order for Amongi to say that UPDF comes here only when there is a debate on Mbabazi and Kutesa when UPDF has always come on serious issues –like this one? Does she mean that we come because we want to defend only two when we fight for the whole country?
• Amongi said every time there is an debate about Mbabazi and Kutesa, the UPDF MPs are all mobilized to come and vote.
• Alaaso Alice returns saying that Uganda shall also pay for the legal costs of the companies, according to the agreements.

7:47pm:- Amongi Betty: I have been in this Parliament for more than 10 years but the same names keep coming on the list of the corrupt. Amama Mbabazi, Kutesa, why can't it be Ndugu Rugunda, Kategaya, Ruhindi? Why is it the same people? Now Hillary Onek has joined them. Some of them are masquerading to be president’s of this country. They are making sure some of their colleagues who want to be close to the president to go to Luzira. The NRM MPs should do a favor to Uganda when the same individuals come to contest in Presidency- lest the opposition rallies masses against them.

• Amongi reads article 3 of the Constitution which says any person who attempts to abrogate the constitution commits the offence of treason because the ministers according to the agreements signed they have already sold Uganda by contradicting the constitution

7:44pm:- Cerinah Nebanda takes to the floor asking that all ministers support their motion lest they find Bukenya in Luzira. She says no drugs in hospitals but they are being asked to defned the ‘thugs’ in the government.

• Vicent Mujuni Kyamadidi takes to the floor: In NRM they have called us rebels yet we are the liberators. Today everyone can see who the true rebels are. The ministers before us here should learn experience and if they don’t, experience shall learn from them. He says the time is now and it must be historical for all to talk and tell the truth.

• Christine Abia calls them a bunch of thieves, serious thieves and some are talented thieves. She says shame on all ministers. She says Museveni is surrounded by big thieves who are seated here decorated with so many titles yet they are fleecing the county.

• She says most ministers have grand children who have a future because they have stolen but her constituents are suffering and their children have no future. “You might want to steal because you are connected but there shall come a day when your conscience will question you.”

7:31pm:- She says once the money is misused today, the consequences will be of 100 years from today when the oil won’t be there anymore. She says Uganda only needs some little money to pay teachers- than the money a few individuals are taking in oil kick backs. She also says the anti-money laundering Bill because once the oil has been on front, laundering will be much.

7:29pm:- Alice Alaaso: What is happening here is what church does in songs which say that where duty calls, even when in danger. She says at the core of the debate is transparency in the oil sector. She says what has happened since the start of the debate has exposed what Ugandans have been worried about.

7:24pm:- Okot Ogong says the NRM Mps should help the party eliminate those who are bringing the party into a fall. He says when one is making an agreement on behalf of somebody; you seek the consent of the people. Like for oil, we were not consulted, but just told there is an agreement for you but we won’t let you know what is in the agreements.

• Andrew Baryayanga takes to the floor saying: Tullow is known as an exploration company but not a production company. It doesn’t exist as a production company because it isn’t among the first 100 companies. The president of Ghana when he heard said Uganda shouldn’t have risked with Tullow because they had failed Ghana.

• Okot Ogong says the President means a lot to the country but people around him are misguiding him.

7:21pm:- Okot Ogong takes to the floor: Today is a day for every one to be counted. Oil and Gas is a blessing to the Ugandans but it’s clear that some members here want to turn this country into a limited company for their families. He says those who claim that they love the country more than the majority Ugandans us all are putting the country into problems.
• Okot Ogong says the young people must rule this country. He says even if we pray for these people they will not change and that if they don’t walk to Luzira ‘we shall get them wherever they will be.’

• Okot Ogong says the NRM Mps should help the party eliminate those who are bringing the party into a fall. He says when one is making an agreement on behalf of somebody; you seek the consent of the people. Like for oil, we were not consulted, but just told there is an agreement for you but we won’t let you know what is in the agreements.

7:13pm:- Nsereko Muhammad takes to the floor: “Let no o ne intimidate us in standing up for the rights and revenues of our country and our people. I second the entire motion that if need be let us leave the House having committed ourselves to the commission of inquiry for Ugandans to see the truth and justice.”

7:09pm:- Obua says if he had Executive powers like Amin he would execute all the ministers on the front bench.

• Obua says the final outcome of the debate is what will release the people of Uganda and the individual members. I don’t know whether some people wanted to fight you indirectly. You are our iron lady and must fight the vices in government.

7:06pm:- Obua Hamson Denis takes to the floor: “I consider this a debate a moment of truth for the country and the named ministers should show cause why article 118 shouldn’t apply to them. (He reads it: A vote of censure because of abuse of office, misconduct or misbehaviour)

• Obua says the Ninth Parliament must stand on its toes to fight corruption even if it means censuring the entire cabinet, it can be done. He also asks that if any minister thinks himself innocent, he or she should support the motion to have a commission of inquiry for such corruption related scenarios.

• Obua says if he had Executive powers like Amin he would execute all the ministers on the front bench.

7:00pm:- Karuhanga concludes that 49 years ago our forefathers struggled, scarified their limbs and blood to save the country of colonialism. He says; “If I die today when I have said this, I know that history will record me marvelously. We all belong to a generation that must stand up and fight corruption. Let our children, our grand children and great grandchildren stand up and say all of us in 9th Parliament was a hero for having stood against corruption.”

6:55pm:- Barnabas Tinkasimire stands on the floor: I want to thank Karuhanga for the stamina and that he gives such information. He says there is a man called John Molley who is a truck driver in the oil fields, he is running a company called SLL that manages and controls the constriction of the camp, where each worker is charged $95 to live in that camp. I understand he has a very close relationship with the Hon Minister seated in front of me here- his name is Sam Kutesa.

• Tinkasimire also says Hillary Onek influenced the employment of three of his relatives in the oil company. So when Hon Members ask for a commission of inquiry, we should support and be counted.

6:52pm:- Karuhanga says the issues have gone beyond Uganda and other countries have gotten interested. He said the American Embassy, the British High Commission and the Irish Embassy have gotten very interested and what the officer of the American Embassy writes; “That Tullow VP for Africa indentified the security minister then Amama Mbabazi, and Energy Minister then Hillary Onek benefited from Tullow.”

• Karuhanga said the British, Irish and American Embassies wrote to Museveni advocating for transparency in the matters and that some ministers like Mbabazi and the other ministers be investigated for such actions.

• Karuhanga said the British, Irish and American Embassies wrote to Museveni advocating for transparency in the matters and that some ministers like Mbabazi and the other ministers be investigated for such actions.

6:46pm:- Karuhanga asks that Kutesa tables the documents he says he has which are ‘forged & moving around the city’ that he took oil kick backs.

• Karuhanga says on June 21, from Tullow on account 4003724191 from the same back to Dubai the Hon Hillary Onek (shows bank statements) received 500,000 Euros.

• July 6, Hillary Onek received another 500,000 Euros on his account 0034450627007 in a Dubai bank

• Hillary Onek also received another 500,000 Euros on July 17, 2010 same bank same account

• Karuhanga said on the same day, Hillary Onek received 1.5mEuros on the same account same day.

• Karuhanga also said August 10, 2010 received 3m Euros on the same account

6:41pm:- Kutesa continues: “And Madam Speaker- is he also in order to rely on forged documents that have been making rounds in this city and some of which I have myself. The documents have been circulating in town. Am seeking your ruling on the matter because he, Karuhanga, hasn’t substantiated.

• Kadaga makes ruling: Of course those are serious matters and I now ask that Karuhanga substantiates.

6:39pm:- Kutesa stands on point of order saying: “Karuhanga has alleged that I received through my company called East Africa Development and that the money went into an account that belongs to me in Zurich. Is it in order to use this House and the privileges it attaches to members to tell falsehoods and utter defamatory statements which are false well knowing that he can’t repeat them outside this chamber?”

6:37pm:- Kutesa stands up to defend himself.

6:31pm:- Karuhanga says the Hon Kutesa Kahamba Sam through his company East African Development company Kenya received 17m Euros (close to Ushs.74bn)through his bank called EFK in Zurich. The money was leaving a Tullow account 40037242019 in a bank in Malta…through a recipient bank in UAE Dubai

6:29pm:- Gerald Karuhanga takes to the floor

• Gerald Karuhanga says he is in Parliament to act like a whistle blower: Their motion prayer Number 4 that government sets up a commission to investigate that some officials have been given kickbacks from the oil players. He says corruption is giganomously glaring.

6:23pm:- Niwagaba talks about signature bonuses and said ever seen the origination of the Act (Oil, Gas and Mineral Exploration Act ) there has never been any accountability for signature bonus, licensees. Niwagaba says if Ms Kagina hadn’t moved fast to get taxes paid, no one had heard commission taxes being paid.

• Elijah Okupa offers information that Ms Kagina’s efforts to collect money, the money had disappeared from Bank of Uganda account number 00341015840000. Okupa says the closing balance on the account was zero as of last week.

• Niwagaba says exploration camps have changed hands and there is no information whether the taxes were paid and any money that government of Uganda could have collected- yet government continues to keep information under the table in the name of confidentiality.

6:17pm:-Wilfred Niwagaba starts: He thanks the speaker for allowing for the special session on the motion. He says the sector of oil is only governed by two laws- the Constitution and the Exploration and Petroleum ACT. He said that act section 13, a license given to an explorer is only for a period of 4 years and renewable on each term of only 2 years.

• Niwagaba says the licensee should therefore be only 8 years but the first license in exploration of area 3A was given to Heritage in 1997 which means it expired around 2004.

6:06pm:- Katuntu says the oil companies have told him that they have nothing to hide, but that government is the one hiding a lot- so he asks Government what they are hiding.

• He says exploration license of area 3A expired in January 2011 which means that Heritage looses the right to explore in that area again.

• Katuntu says Commissioner General of URA Allen Kagina has saved the situation by giving some information to them, lest the situation could have been worse. “We know the details of what have been going on and there is nothing for government to hide anymore.”

• Katuntu says there are many provisions in the agreements which are unconstitutional. He also says talk that such debates will scare away investors is quack talk but disguise for top government officials to fleece the economy.

• Katuntu talks about the Angelo Izama, Charles Mwanguhya against the AG in court over the agreements which all ministers have been parading. He says a magistrate’s court isn’t a court of record but courts like LC1 courts. He says in a law, what is called a court of record is what binds on all subordinate courts---the judgment they are parading around is not biding and also not persuasive. He calls it simple law, which the AG has been using to confuse MPs.

• Katuntu closes his submission asking the whole House to support the debate. He says the debate is ‘unstoppable’- rules out that some MPs signed without knowledge. He says all MPs knew what they were signing.

• Katuntu ends with thanks to Hon Speaker and correct the impression of what went on between the petitioners and her office. He said it was caused by interpretation of the law in many different ways- that they still have the highest respect for speakers’ office as before.

5:59pm:- Katuntu talks about matters of confidentiality: he says everybody who wishes not to explain anything in this Government talks about confidentiality. He quotes the right of access to information Act- mentioning only three circumstances where state can deny citizens information: security, state sovereignty and the right to the privacy of another person.

• Katuntu says quoting PSAs on the matter of confidentiality is wrong because the PSAs aren’t a law. He also says the Petroleum Exploration Act isn’t to be quoted because it was there before the constitution which is the supreme law of the land. He says whoever is citing confidentiality should start with the constitution.

• Katuntu said he personally drafted the access to information Act and that he had taken a lot of time to do it- he said the then Minister of Information Dr Nsaba Buturo took it over ‘plagiarism’ and changed some elements in it- although it was later debated and passed.

• Katuntu says the oil companies have told him that they have nothing to hide, but that government is the one hiding a lot- so he asks Government what they are hiding.

5:40pm:- Abdu Katuntu starts: as we celebrated Independence, I remembered that our fore-fathers sold this country because they were given small things like hunting spears….but some people studied history to pass exams. Some of our leaders are picking a few pleasantries and mortgaging away the most valuable resource Uganda has (Oil)

• He quotes Article 119 of the constitution which gives Attorney General his duties as legal advisor of the government. Maybe if his office had done a good job, we wouldn’t have such a special session. He says he will table evidence that AG office absconded from its own duty.

5:35pm:- Speaker rules: Hon Ssekikubo was very careful not to touch matters in court. He only mentioned of the case but didn’t discuss it. If they stray into areas which are subjudice, I will bring them to order but let us listen to the seconders.

5:32pm:- AG Peter Nyombi moves under rule 60 of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament, to raise a pre-liminary objection. He says; “I want to assure the House that government is willing and ready to discuss the issues which are raised in the motion. I have carefully studied this motion and the grounds that are contained in the motion are subjudice.”

Nyombi reads that 60 (1) provides that reference shall not be made on any matter which judicial decision is pending in such a way as in the opinion of the speaker prejudice the actions of the ….(booed)

• Rapheal Magyezi: moves under the same rules to say that no question be made on any motion before it is seconded.
• Speaker rules: Hon Ssekikubo was very careful not to touch matters in court. He only mentioned of the case but didn’t discuss it. If they stray into areas which are subjudice, I will bring them to order but let us listen to the seconders.

5:27pm:- House Speaker Kadaga says the motion had 5 seconders but she would only ask three to defend the motion. She has allowed Katuntu, Niwagaba and Karuhanga.

5:24pm:- Ssekikubo finishes presenting.

5:19pm :-Ssekikubo says Museveni shouldn’t sign the remaining PSAs because they are misleading “but as you know he is being surrounded and any blink of the eye the deal will be done.”

Ssekikubo also lays on table all documents he has been referring to in his presentation. He circulates MPs copies of the Rigs information which are idle but Ugandans paying $120,000 per day.

5:14pm:- Ssekikubo says Museveni has insisted on having a refinery here in Uganda. The companies are sponsoring the pipeline. Our oil is about some 3km underground, solid and the best oil. Everybody can be interested in our oil, but the advantage of having the refinery here is that all by-products will be here. If you chose to take it as crude oil for refinery somewhere else, it means you will need a heating pipeline from Bunyoro to Mombasa like in India. He urges Museveni to stand firm on the patriotic move he has started about oil and not to be misled.

5:09pm:- Ssekikubo says Government can’t run the activities of oil and petroleum but must have a regulator because without it, We are operating in darkness with no regulator which makes government gullible to cheats.

5:02pm:- Ssekikubo goes on to say that Government should stop signing any other agreements until oil legislations are brought on board.

5:00pm:- Ssekikubo says government having sham agreements in the oil business. Hon. Sekikubo unveils that a caterpillar driver with a certificate in catering is paid 54million at Tullow where he works.

4:56pm:-A rig to drill Ngassa was imported. Ngassa alone cost $39m. It had leakages, then another $5m has been set aside to re-do the same well

4:40pm:- Hon. Theodore Ssekikubo (MP, Lwemiyaga) has just moved a motion on oil in the fully parked Parliament. Some MPs standing in the corridors, just peeping into the house, with no where to sit.

Ministers on the front bench government side very parked- space not enough for them. VIP gallery, Public galleries and press galleries all filled to capacity than ever. Hon Ssekikubo still defending his motion- later the motion seconders will also give a brief on why they support the motion. They are Abdu Katuntu (MP, Bugweri) and Wilfred Niwagaba (MP, Ndorwa East)

Ssekikubo just read the list of suppliers of services to the oil companies, amidst cheers from the House both sides that Nina Mbabazi and her husband Mathew Rukaikaire Junior own a yard in Kira where Tullow keeps their machinery, instead of keeping them in Hoima.