A whistleblower has petitioned the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SH-ACU) seeking an investigations into the appointment of a new Uganda Investment Authority board chairperson.
Finance Minister Kasaija, recently dissolved the UIA board chaired by Morrison Rwakakamba and on September 26, Kasaija appointed his political assistant in Kibaale district, Robert Kyamanywa, as the chairman board of the strategic institution.
In a petition filed on October 4, 2024, one Donozio Opolot has made a litany of allegations regarding the appointment of the new board including corruption and unscrupulous behavior by Ministers Matia Kasaija and Evelyn Anite .
The whistleblower also claims that Minister EAnite engaged in influence peddling, stealing funds, and allocating land irregularly in Namanve Industrial Park, drawing bad blood between her and sacked board.
"Hon. Anite was involved in the influence peddling in the purchase of 30 acres of land for Small and Medium Enterprise Park and Sewerage Treatment Plant worth over shs57 billion," the petition states.
The whistleblower alleges that Anite seconded companies to UIA for consideration in the land purchase and called meetings at the Ministry of Finance, directing the board to oversee the acquisition, adding that when the board refused to comply, the minister allegedly started the process of replacing them with a new board that would take her "scrupulous orders."
The whistleblower further alleges that Anite has been siphoning funds from Namanve Industrial Park through cost escalation, overtime claims, and other dubious means.
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Additionally, she is accused of allocating land irregularly in the industrial park and using her hotel, L'Hotel Le Confidentiel, to supply food during a UIA summit in Nebbi, pocketing over shs 50 million in the process.
Opolot 's petition also questions the integrity of the new UIA board appointment, citing the lack of vetting, authentication of academic documents, and relevant experience among its members.
He specifically, challenges the appointment of Robert Kyamanywa as chairman, despite his alleged lack of experience in investment matters, raises eyebrows.
The petition claims that Anite forced UIA to reinstate Ms. Amelia Natukunda, whose contract was not renewed due to poor performance.
He also questions the minister's alleged ownership of several hotels that he claims were built with funds siphoned from Namanve Industrial Park, paints a picture of crude accumulation of wealth through corrupt means.
Ministers Kasaija and Anite are accused of drafting and backdating letters to facilitate the appointment of the new UIA board, bypassing established procedures.
The whistleblower has since asked the State House Anti-Corruption Unit to investigate these serious allegations and take action to protect the integrity of UIA and public funds.
