By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
PARLIAMENT:
The Ntungamo municipality MP Yonah Musinguzi has accused the minister for Science, Technology and Innovation Dr. Monica Musenero of dishonesty and embezzlement of funds that were meant to develop COVID-19 vaccines.
The ruling NRM legislator raised concern on Thursday in parliament while reacting on the minister of health statement on COVID-19 Response and Vaccination presented by minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng.
MP Musinguzi alleges that the Ugx 50 billion money that was given to a group of scientists led by Dr. Musenero, developing a Ugandan COVID-19 vaccine was swindled and no progress has been made.
“Yesterday, I went to the laboratory of Dr. Musenero in Ntinda but I did not find even a test tube apart from one office attendant and a security guard who i found there. More than 50 billion shillings were given to Dr. Musenero to develop a Ugandan COVID vaccine. Musenero seduced the President and was given money but up to now no progress has been made. This money must be accounted for otherwise, we cannot keep losing money to individuals,” MP Yona Musinguzi said.
He demanded that the money that was given to Musenero and his scientists be accounted for.
In a statement, Dr. Aceng told the house that a total cost of the National COVID-19 vaccination plan including cost of vaccines and supplies, storage, distribution and operation costs in districts is UGX 1,410,383,512,428/= adding that government and partners have already provided part of the funds amounting to UGX 619,536,672,000.
In response, the Deputy Speaker of parliament, Hon. Anitah Amongi has asked Dr. Musenero to come and update the house about the progress of developing the vaccine before a supplementary budget to development of vaccine is approved.
