PARLIAMENT – The Governor Bank of Uganda (BOU), Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebile has apologised for the uncontrollable leakages of crucial documents from the Central Bank, that has painted doubts about the confidentiality of Uganda’s Banking sector, after a number of confidential documents leaked to public.
Mutebile made the apology following concerns raised by MPs on the Committee of Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) who wondered why the Central Bank had abused the confidentiality agreed upon by the two parties to have no documents leaked during the probe into the closure of the seven defunct Banks.
Mutebile told the Committee that he is not in the know how a letter addressed to COSASE detailing the confidential documents made its way to the public and that an investigation was being conducted to have the matter dealt with.
He also expressed his apologies saying the matter was brought to his attention only about 30 minutes before he left his office to go to Parliament for the probe hearing.
He stated: “It’s true I signed this letter but this letter was actually not to come to you yet, it was supposed to come to you at the right time during our discussions. Unfortunately, I can only say at this point in time, I have instituted investigations to find out what really happened, I can assure you that I am equally shocked by this occurrence.”
Katuntu wondered how his Committee would be reduced to a social media Committee to the level that the Legislators have to rely on the internet to received documents released from the Central Bank.
The COSASE Chief told the Committee that he was shocked to read on social media of a written letter by the Governor and forwarded in confidentiality yet the said documents having been signed by the Governor.
Katuntu said: “It is very disappointing that you write to me a letter that is supposed to be forwarding confidential documents and it is on social media before I receive it. I am wondering what is going on in Bank of Uganda, I thought at the beginning we were serious to each other that everything confidential should be treated in the same way, how do you get confidential letters and documents and release them to social media?”