United Kingdom registered oil prospecting firm Tullow Plc has denied allegations that it offered bribes to Uganda ministers to get favuorable oil deals in Uganda.

oil drilling in western Uganda

Uganda’s parliament this week started discussions on the oil sector and Tullow was mentioned as having transferred money to two ministers’ accounts.

But Tullow’s CEO, Aidan Heavey, refuted these allegations in a letter written to the Speaker of Parliament in Uganda.

“Tullow is deeply committed to its work in Uganda and operates to the highest standards of ethical behaviour. We take a zero tolerance approach to bribery and corruption and our policies are enshrined in our Code of Business Conduct,” Heavey said in a statement.

Western Uganda Youth MP Gerald Karuhanga presented documents alleging that Foreign Affairs Minister Kutesa Kahamba Sam through his company East African Development company Kenya received 17m Euros (close to 74 billion Uganda shillings)through his bank called EFK in Zurich. It is alleged that the money was leaving a Tullow account 40037242019 in a bank in Malta…through a recipient bank in UAE Dubai.

It was further alleged:

• That On June 21, from Tullow on account 4003724191 from the same back to Dubai the Hon Hillary Onek (shows bank statements) received 500,000 Euros.
• That July 6, Hillary Onek received another 500,000 Euros on his account 0034450627007 in a Dubai bank
• Hillary Onek also received another 500,000 Euros on July 17, 2010 same bank same account
• That Hillary Onek received 1.5mEuros on the same account same day.

The MPs want the ministers together with Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi to resign their posts. The MPs agreed to set up a committee to investigate the allegations of bribery and influence peddling in the oil sector.

Ultimate Media