By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA
The spokesperson for the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), John Kikonyogo has said stronger measures are needed to prevent people in positions of power from misusing their authority for their personal gain.
Kikonyogo said today at a party press briefing when he tasked parliament to take actions against individuals who mismanage public funds.
Kikonyogo’s remarks follow a recent report by the Attorney General in which it was revealed that the ministry of agriculture imported 71 goats at a cost of Shs528 millions, approximately Shs7.3 million was spent on each goat, under the Shs15 billion Goat Roll Out project implemented in seven districts and majority of them seven days after distribution due to malnourishment.
Pointing out other scandals such as the exorbitant purchase of pens by the Bank of Uganda at Shs357,000, COVID-19 specimen rats at Shs8 million and the individuals were never punished, Kikonyogo accused parliament of shielding corruption and demanded for stronger measures to combat the practice.
“Despite the commendable work of the Attorney General in exposing such theft, we don’t understand why parliament fails to take actions,” he said.
According to Kikonyogo, the parliament has continued to allocate money to ministries and agencies where corruption scandals have been reported which disables the fight to expose the corrupt and end corruption in the country.
“Parliament has the authority to decline allocating funds to these taxpayer’s money vampires, yet they keep approving allocations to them each year after year. We demand that urgent actions be taken against any individuals who mismanage public funds and held accountable for their actions,” Kikonyogo urged parliament.
He said failure to punish culprits frustrates the works of the Attorney General who gives report on the wrongs committed in different ministries and other public offices.
