The Criminal Investigations Directorate has given the green light for investigation into a massive scandal involving the mismanagement of shs164.7 billion allocated for compensating cooperative unions affected by war.
The investigation implicates 30 Members of Parliament and cabinet ministers, raising serious concerns about the misuse of funds intended for war claimants.
State Minister of Trade, Harriet Ntabaazi, disclosed that five vocal opposition lawmakers are among those facing scrutiny in the scandal.
She emphasized the severity of the situation, stating,
“The CID Police and the DPP have sanctioned files against legislators implicated in the scam,” she said.
The Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, took decisive action by halting the debate on the alleged scandal, deferring it for further scrutiny by the Inspectorate of Government (IGG), CID, and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) departments.
Yusuf Mutembile, leading a section of Members of Parliament, asserted that the investigation, despite the matter’s sensitivity, will proceed without interruption.
“All arms of the state assigned by the speaker to carry out further scrutiny will not be interrupted,” he said.
The Trade Committee of Parliament, which probed the matter in October, discovered alarming discrepancies.
Payments exceeding Shs 48.77 billion were made outside the allocated amounts to various cooperatives.
Ntabaazi acknowledged the gravity of the situation, admitting, “The Ministry of Trade is in hot soup over this mess.”
The committee’s report revealed that some compensations were granted based on unverified claims, and there was a general lack of understanding regarding the rationale for compensating cooperatives for war losses.
Despite recommendations to halt payments, the Ministry of Trade disbursed an additional Shs36.318 billion to 18 cooperative unions for war loss claims in the last financial year.
Committee members expressed their dismay at the ministry’s actions.
This unfolding scandal underscores the urgent need for accountability and transparency in the disbursement of public funds.
