Drama ensued on Friday afternoon in Kabale municipality when the populace demanded state minister for planning in the Ministry of finance, David Bahati to explain the fate of the Bank of Uganda currency saga.
Led by the outspoken Museveni Critic Rev. Fr. Gaetano Batanyenda, the former Chairman of Kick Corruption out of Uganda, the populace tasked Bahati to explain how far the government has reached with investigations in regard to the matter.
Earlier in April this year, it was reported that the country had received extra currency pallets, than Bank of Uganda has ordered from Oberthur Fiduciare, a French company that prints Ugandan currency.
It’s alleged that the chartered plane that landed at Entebbe International airport contained 25 pallets containing Ugandan currency but only 20 belonged to BoU.
It was reported later that the Central Bank Governor, Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile contacted the State House Anti-Corruption Unit Commander, Lt Col. Edith Nakalema for help. To date, no updates have been made on the matter.
Batanyenda was speaking during the anti-corruption convention for Kigezi Sub-region at Kirigime Guest House in Kabale municipality.
Commenting on the matter, Minister Bahati said he has no idea on the BoU currency saga, having just read about it in the news like any Ugandan.
“I don’t know anything reverend father. I also read that in the media. May be if you know anything on the matter, please let us know and we proceed with investigations” Bahati replied Fr. Batanyenda.
Bahati’s response attracted a lot of criticism from the audience, saying government has been silent on matters of corruption that would be mattering most.
Lydia Turyahumura, the Kabale district chairperson said it has been a similar answer to most of the corruption cases in the country, warning that it was high time government dealt with the thieves.
Bony Tumuranze, the mobilizer of Alliance for National Transformation party in Kigezi said government was on a blink of collapsing due to the silence of the regime on corruption.
Bahati was the invited chief guest.
The anti-corruption event was organized by the kick corruption out of Uganda.
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