The Inspectorate of government clears Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi from any wrong doing in regards to the procurement of security communication systems in preparation for the CHOGM conference

The special Auditor General’s report dated April 2008 and the report of the Parliamentary public Accounts Committee had implicated Mbabazi who was then security minister and chair of the CHOGM security sub-committee

The two reports indicated that the Tetra Communication system was procured before Parliament had approved the ICT loan used in the purchase and that the expenditure of 5 million dollars on the system was also not declared to the Auditor General for Audit as required by law

IGG Raphael Baku

The reports had also indicated that the Procurement was influenced by Amama Mbabazi resulting into flouting of the PPDA Regulations leading to loss of USD 1,800,000 to the Government of Uganda

The two reports had concluded that Mbabazi be punished for abuse of office and influence peddling

However a report released by the inspectorate of government after carrying out an investigation indicates that the procurement procedures for the Security Communication System for CHOGM were in line with the PPDA Act

The report notes that while the expenditure was initially not audited under the approved CHOGM budget in 2008 the expenditure was later audited in 2009 and verified through a special audit concluding that there was no evidence to pin Amama Mbabazi for conflict of interest, and influence peddling

The Inspectorate also indicates that there was no loss of funds and that M/s Balton (U) Ltd supplied more items than what was indicated in the agreement and that the System was delivered in time for CHOGM.

In conclusion the inspectorate says the file about Amama Mbabazi be closed since no case has been established for prosecution or Disciplinary act

By Isaac Senabulya