UGANDA RECALLS ITS DIPLOMATS IN DENMARK AMID A CORRUPTION SCANDAL
Kampala has recalled its diplomats at its embassy in Denmark after an audio clip in which they were discussing how to share government money illegally was leaked and went viral on social media over the weekend.
The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs ,Amb. Patrick S.Mugoya , said that after consulting with his counterpart in the Ministry of Finance Mr. Keith Muhakanizi the diplomats who are accused of wrong doing have been recalled to Kampala to pave way for investigations.
“The Ministry wishes to reiterate to the general public that it does not condone corruption and that , the use of public funds will adhere to the principles of transparency and efficiency and any deviation by any public officer will be met with appropriate sanctions as provided for in the Public Finance and Management Act and regulations, “ Amb. Mugoya said in a statement .
The diplomats were heard on an audio recording discussing how they would share the unspent money for the Financial Year 2019/2020 contrary to standing procedures which require according to the law for all accounting officers to return to the national treasury all unspent balances at the end of any financial year .
The Diplomas at the Uganda embassy in Denmark are the Head of Mission, Ms Nimisha Madhvani, Deputy Head of Mission, Mr Elly Kamahungye Kafeero, Ms Alex Hope Mukubwa, the Minister Counsellor / Accounting Officer, Mr Gordon Katureebe, the First Secretary, Mr Richard Biribonwoha, the Third Secretary / Head of Chancery, Ms Sylvia Nambooze Kayongo, the Administrative Attache, and Mr Mugisha Wilfred, the Immigration Attache. It is not clear who among these have been recalled .However , sources say , Ms Mukubwa and Ms Nimisha Madhvani participated in the alleged zoom meeting while in Kampala where they have been since the lockdown and subsequent travel restrictions .
In the clip the diplomats are heard discussing how they could share the unspent money including making proposals to bribe auditors.