KAMPALA
A whistleblower has petitioned the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SH-ACU), alleging corruption and irregularities involving Finance minister Matia Kasaija and State Minister for Investment and Privatization Evelyn Anite in the appointment process of the new Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) board chair.
The ministers are accused of drafting and backdating letters to manipulate the board’s appointment process, bypassing standard procedures. According to the petition, filed on October 4, 2024, Donozio Opolot claims that on October 1, 2024, Minister Anite drafted and backdated letters to September 26, 2024, instructing Minister Kasaija to remove the existing UIA board.
The petition further alleges that Anite informed Kasaija she would allocate three board positions, including the appointment of Kasaija’s personal assistant, Robert Kyamanywa, as the UIA board chair, despite his lack of experience in investment matters. Anite reportedly reserved the remaining four positions for herself and asked each board member to support her plan to remove Robert Mukiza, the UIA executive director, and replace him with individuals loyal to her to facilitate questionable deals.
“This process was done without vetting the board members, verifying academic qualifications, assessing relevant experience, or evaluating their understanding of the UIA’s mandate and integrity. Imagine Hon. Anite and Hon. Kasaija appointing Robert Kyamanywa, who has no experience in investment matters,” the petition reads.
The spokesperson for the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, Natasha Mariam Oduka, confirmed receipt of the petition and stated that the Unit would initiate investigations into the allegations against the ministers. The SH-ACU aims to thoroughly examine the claims and ensure accountability in the appointment process.
Finance minister Matia Kasaija recently dissolved the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) board, which was chaired by Morrison Rwakakamba, and appointed Robert Kyamanywa, his political assistant in Kibaale district, as the new chairman, effective October 1, 2024. The appointment, made on September 26, comes with a three-year term, which may be renewed upon successful completion of the initial period.
According to the appointment letter, the new UIA board is expected to convene at least once every quarter. Board members will receive a sitting allowance of Shs 1 million before tax, a consolidated kilometrage allowance of Shs 3 million per month before tax, and any additional facilitation allowances as per public service standing orders.
Donozio Opolot’s petition has raised concerns over the integrity of the appointment process. The petition questions the lack of vetting procedures, verification of academic qualifications and relevant experience of the new board members, specifically highlighting Kyamanywa’s appointment as chairman despite his purported lack of experience in investment matters. The appointment, according to the petition, has “raised eyebrows.”
The petition further claims that State Minister for Investment and Privatization Evelyn Anite pressured the UIA to reinstate Amelia Natukunda, whose contract had not been renewed due to what was described as poor performance.
“Hon. Anite was fully aware that, beyond being a non-performer, Ms. Natukunda also lacked the qualifications to serve as Deputy Director of Human Resources. When the board resisted her directive to reinstate Natukunda, she dissolved it,” the petition alleges.
The whistleblower also accuses Anite of targeting the previous board and UIA management for opposing her directives. According to the petition, Anite had pushed for certain companies to be considered in land acquisitions and convened meetings at the ministry of Finance, urging the board to oversee the acquisition process.
However, the board reportedly resisted, emphasizing that their role was limited to policy guidance and that they were legally barred from direct involvement in procurement matters.
“She called two meetings at the Ministry of Finance and directed the board and Mr. Paul Kyalimpa, whom she appointed, to oversee the acquisition of the land. But the board reminded her of their legal limitations, which include policy guidance and their restriction from direct procurement. This infuriated the minister, prompting her to seek a board that would comply with her directives,” the petition reads.
The allegations have been referred to the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SH-ACU), which has confirmed that it will investigate the claims to ensure that proper procedures are followed in the UIA board appointments.
A whistleblower also alleged corruption and misuse of power by Evelyn Anite, in connection with activities at the Namanve Industrial Park. The allegations claim that Anite siphoned funds through various methods, including cost escalation, overtime claims, and other questionable practices.
The petition asserts that when the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) board resisted her demands to allocate land to companies from which she allegedly received payments, she orchestrated the termination of the board members’ contracts. According to the whistleblower, Anite replaced the board with individuals of her choosing, instructing them to facilitate her alleged activities, which are reportedly conducted from the Protea hotel in Kololo.
The whistleblower’s petition details further allegations, including claims that Anite engaged in influence peddling, misappropriation of funds, and irregular land allocations at the Namanve Industrial Park. The petition cites a specific case involving the purchase of 30 acres of land for the Small and Medium Enterprise Park and a sewerage treatment plant, valued at over Shs 57 billion, which reportedly contributed to tensions between Anite and the dismissed board members.
In addition to these allegations, the whistleblower accuses Anite of accumulating wealth through dubious means, including the construction of L’Hotel Le Confidentiel in Arua. The petition questions how the hotel’s construction costs align with Anite’s official income from public service.
It also claims that she manipulates her financial records to underreport tax payments.
“Most of those structures were built using funds siphoned from the Namanve Industrial Park, with the assistance of Alex Nuwagira, the project manager,” the petition alleges.
It further claims that Anite compelled the UIA to contract her hotel to provide catering services during a UIA summit in Nebbi, earning her over Shs 50 million, which the whistleblower cites as a clear conflict of interest. The whistleblower has called on the SH-ACU to thoroughly investigate these allegations and take swift action to safeguard the integrity of the Uganda Investment Authority and public resources.
Despite repeated attempts, neither Matia Kasaija nor Evelyn Anite responded to requests for comment regarding the allegations. Minister Evelyn Anite has repeatedly addressed the allegations of corruption and wealth accumulation against her, expressing her willingness to face any evidence brought forward. Anite has also stated her openness to undergoing a lifestyle audit by the inspector general of government (IGG).
“I know I have gone through fire, but if I am guilty; I am ready to face whatever comes my way. If I have fallen short of God’s glory and evidence is there, I am ready to walk to Luzira prison. People fear the corrupt because they are powerful, but I won’t back off. If there is evidence that I took money from any investor or have shares in any company, I am ready to walk to Luzira,” Anite declared.
She further emphasized transparency among public officials, saying, “Let every government official account for what they have. Accept the lifestyle audit by the IGG. Anyone with evidence against me should bring it forward, and I am ready to walk to Luzira.”
Source: The Observer
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