The summoned officials include the former Permanent Secretary Jimmy Lwamafa, the Ministry’s registrar Jennifer Atoo, former head of the department of Compensation Stephen Kiwanuka Kunsa, former Principal Accountant Obe Christopher, former Commissioner Human Resource JJ Nansera, and Wycliffe Mugume working in the Ministry of Health now, among others.

Members of Parliament detected that Mar. JJ Nansera approved the ghost payment without verification from the audit department. They noted that on several transactions the ministry officials irregularly paid ghost pensioners and left out the genuine ones. MPs noted that the ministry paid 165 billion shillings to ghost pensioners; this case against the accused taken to court was dismissed due to lack of evidence and the suspects are now pleading the ministry to lift the interdiction and resume work.

The PS Muwanga told the committee that she was surprised that there was such a case and added that up to now she has got no proof this money was lost. MPs also learnt that 88.8 billion shillings was irregularly budgeted for as contribution to social security in the financial year 2011/12 and caused parliament to approve this alleged ghost payment.

The committee further observed that the Ministry of Public Service paid 15 billion shillings to HUL AND PARTNERS, which is stated as a law firm, and this was done with approval from the Attorney. In this case MPs noted that this ghost law firm had asked for 12 billion shillings in respect to damages to ghost pensioners due to delays in their payment but was given15 billion shillings yet its location was not known and the Uganda Law Society could not trace its existence.

Members of Parliaments were surprised that this law firm was irregularly paid by the Ministry of Public Service and it did not go to court. The MPs who include Alice Alaso, Gerald Karuhanga, Theodore Sekikubo, Emmanuel Dombo, Paul Mwiru and Jacob Apolot said that the summoned officials should appear before the committee as the committee begins fresh investigations into this pension scam. They were furious that people retire at 60 years, live miserable lives after retirement and die without getting their pension and those still alive get it after more than 20 years. The fresh investigations into the matter will kick off next week with the summoned officials.

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Nakawa Chief Magistrate Joyce Kabagi has dismissed the application filed by Luweero Woman MP, Brenda Nabukenya on grounds that it was filed in a wrong court which has no jurisdiction to handle the matter.

The magistrate also said that the complainant did not secure a letter from the local authorities at Buziga, where Gen. Nyakairima resides.

In her application, Nabukenya had requested court to issue criminal summons against Nyakairima over alleged charges of treason.

Nyakairina allegedly said that the army would take over the government if leaders continued to practice bad politics.

The remarks made during a news conference at the ministry of Defense headquarters last month, drew outrage from a cross section of Ugandans including some members of the inner circle in the army.

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Barnabas Tinkasimire

MPs Barnabas Tinkasimire and Wilfred Niwagaba say that they have not committed any offense and have only criticized the party to put across what their voters want.

Niwagaba says that he has already received a letter from the party highlighting two charges related to the oil and budget debates.

He says that if summons are issued against him, he will either choose to ignore them or join his colleagues in pursuing the matter in courts of law.

NRM party members sitting in Kyankwanzi have already taken a stand to have the MPs disciplined for going against party positions on crucial matters.

The post NRM MPs to sue party for disciplinary summons first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

A source in NRM parliamentary caucus has intimated to us that the supporters of DP, FDC, UPC, JEEMA and PPP among other opposition party are free to go to Kyankwanzi when the president summons NRM cadres to go there.

Kampala Central MP, Medde Nsereko says that when NRM summons its cadres for meetings, they use public facilities so any member of the public can also go since the facilities used are owned by all citizens.

MP Nsereko is considered in NRM circles as an opposition element who contested for parliament on NRM ticket.

By Walakira Nyanzi

The post Opposition free to attend NRM meetings first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

The committee chaired by Kssiano Wadri (Terego) has thus resolved to involve the police to embarrass Makubuya after he snubbed their summons for the forth time.

Makubuya had been summoned to appear before this committee for questioning in relation to his controversial actions leading to the award of among others shs142bn to city tycoon Hassan Basajjabalaba, but the minister snubbed the summons, saying his appearance as former attorney general is illegal.

In his letter addressed to Wadri issues yesterday, Makubuya claimed that the attorney general Peter Nyombi gave a legal advice about his intended appearance in which he stated that competence to speak on behalf of Attorney general’s chambers is vested in the incumbent attorney general and therefore he would only appear as a second official to supplement what the AG will submit.

After a heated debate on the next plan of action, the committee agreed that a warrant of arrest be issued against him so that he appears on Thursday this week.

By Isaac Senabulya

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