{{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.}}<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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\u2019 funds meant for humanitarian aid.<\/p>\n
\u201cBritain has frozen all UK aid spent through the Ugandan government. <\/p>\n
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,\u201d International Development secretary Justine Greening announced on Friday.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are extremely concerned by these preliminary findings and we will assess the decision further when we have considered the full findings of the report.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnless the government of Uganda can show UK that the taxpayers\u2019 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,\u201d Greening warned.<\/p>\n
The Guardian reports that \u00a398.9 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. <\/p>\n
\u201cIn August, DfID froze money to the Ugandan Prime Minister\u2019s 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,\u201d The Guardian reports.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s government to isolate the Kampala regime.<\/p>\n
Amos Robert queries in his Facebook wall post: \u201cWhat will now happen to poor folks in the north? But isn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s why I don\u2019t understand John Nagenda\u2019s – columnist with the government newspaper, The New Vision – suggestion that cutting off aid will mostly hurt poor Ugandans. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe government of Uganda only orders inquiry into corruption scandals whenever \u2018donors\u2019 cut off or threaten to cut off aid.\u201d<\/p>\n
Okwany Jonathan chips, in turn: \u201cThat\u2019s the way to go. It\u2019s hard to trust the government now, but they will block direct aid. The government must either act or become a failed State.\u201d<\/p>\n
The debate was stormy on Capital Radio\u2019s 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).<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo amount of cure can change the current situation. We call upon Ugandans to turn to FDC for remedy,\u201d Mafabi, who is opposing Mugisha Muntu\u2019s determination to replace Kiiza Besigye, said.<\/p>\n
Prime Minister Mbabazi apologised to the Irish government over mismanagement of the donor country\u2019s aid stating that investigations were ongoing to bring all those involved to book.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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