The Uganda government has chosen to remain silent amidst reports of UK cutting all its aid to Uganda as President Yoweri Museveni continues his Asian tour.
A number of his senior officials are in the tour of the Western part of the country to witness the give-away of Tooro Princess Ruth Komuntale to her American boyfriend Christopher Thomas.
Vice President Edward Sekandi and Prime Minister Patrick Amama Mbabazi were among a powerful delegation of the regime from Kampala at the wedding televised on national broadcast, Uganda Broadcasting Corporation in Fort Portal.
On the eve of this merrymaking, British Broadcasting Corporation and The UK national newspapers including The Guardian and The Telegraph were awash with the news of The UK cutting all financial ties with President Museveni Administration after unearthing fresh evidence of massive misuse of its taxpayers’ funds meant for humanitarian aid.
“Britain has frozen all UK aid spent through the Ugandan government.
This is a result of initial evidence emerging from our ongoing forensic audit of the office of the Prime Minister which indicates aid money may have been misused,” International Development secretary Justine Greening announced on Friday.
“We are extremely concerned by these preliminary findings and we will assess the decision further when we have considered the full findings of the report.
“Unless the government of Uganda can show UK that the taxpayers’ money is going towards helping the poorest people to lift themselves out of poverty, this aid will remain frozen and we will expect repayment and administrative and criminal sanctions,” Greening warned.
The Guardian reports that £98.9 million bilateral aid from Britain to the east African country was to be delivered through different channels including the Ugandan government, the private sector, multilateral bodies and non-governmental organisations.
“In August, DfID froze money to the Ugandan Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) amid reports on funds from several European countries being funnelled into the private bank accounts of the PMO officials. No British money was taken,” The Guardian reports.
No official statement so far has come from the government in line with the latest report of UK aid cut. However, social media and radio political talk shows were filled with a debate on the fresh and harsh move by David Cameroon’s government to isolate the Kampala regime.
Amos Robert queries in his Facebook wall post: “What will now happen to poor folks in the north? But isn’t that the reason The UK has cut off aid? This aid meant for poor folks in the north was ending up in the pockets of officials in Kampala.
“That’s why I don’t understand John Nagenda’s – columnist with the government newspaper, The New Vision – suggestion that cutting off aid will mostly hurt poor Ugandans.
“The government of Uganda only orders inquiry into corruption scandals whenever ‘donors’ cut off or threaten to cut off aid.”
Okwany Jonathan chips, in turn: “That’s the way to go. It’s hard to trust the government now, but they will block direct aid. The government must either act or become a failed State.”
The debate was stormy on Capital Radio’s political talk show – Capital Gang – which hosted leader of Opposition and member of Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Nadala Mafabi; ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) deputy party spokesman Ofwono Opondo and lawmakers Chris Baryomunsi (NRM), Abdu Katuntu (FDC) and Wilfred Niwagaba (NRM).
Ofwono Opondo called for a stern action against thieves in public service and be asked to refund the funds they stole, as Mafabi slammed the regime and called on Ugandans to rise up and cast a vote of no confidence when time comes.
“No amount of cure can change the current situation. We call upon Ugandans to turn to FDC for remedy,” Mafabi, who is opposing Mugisha Muntu’s determination to replace Kiiza Besigye, said.
Prime Minister Mbabazi apologised to the Irish government over mismanagement of the donor country’s aid stating that investigations were ongoing to bring all those involved to book.
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