KAMPALA, Uganda — The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and the Bank of Uganda denied allegations of initiating payments to false beneficiaries, totaling 54 billion Uganda shillings.
The Parliamentary Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises began investigating the matter, with Bank of Uganda officials acknowledging that they paid the money to ghost beneficiaries, allegedly at the instruction of the Ministry of Finance.
However, Lawrence Ssemakula, Accountant General at the Ministry of Finance, refuted these claims, stating that they never instructed the Bank of Uganda to pay Roadway Company Limited and MJS International London.
The contradictory statements sparked intense questioning from lawmakers, with Martin Muzaale vowing to uncover the truth behind the scandal. “We will not leave any stone unturned until we find the people behind this money scandal,” Muzaale said.
Muwada Nkunyingi echoed this sentiment, stating that officials would not be swayed from uncovering the truth.
Bank of Uganda officials maintained that they were instructed by the Ministry of Finance to make the payments. However, they failed to provide evidence to support this claim, prompting the committee chairperson to adjourn the meeting and request the documents be provided before the end of the day.
