About 24 Billion shillings meant for the construction of Isimba Dam Bridge, was allegedly mismanaged, according to the Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga.
Members of Parliament have questioned President Museveni’s
decision of directly sourcing contractors for the Karuma, Isimba and Ayago Hydropower
dams.
MPs on the Physical infrastructure committee on Wednesday met the Minister of
State for Energy Simon D’Ujanga over the Isimba dam bridge saga.
About 24 Billion shillings meant for the construction of Isimba Dam Bridge, was
allegedly mismanaged, according to the Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga.
Although it was commissioned on March 21st, 2019, the bridge that was meant to
run from Kayunga to Kuvu Island and another from Kuvu to Kamuli side has not
been built.
In a letter dated July 2013, President Museveni wrote to the then
Minister of Energy, Minister of Finance and the Attorney General over
construction of three dams Isimba, Karuma and Ayago saying that he has noticed
major delays in the procurement of the contractors which is not acceptable.
Museveni notes in the letter that “our friends from China are ready to help us
build these hydropower plants”. He says in a meeting they held at State House
with the Chinese Ambassador, it was agreed that Karuma Dam be
constructed by Sinohydro Corporation limited, Isimba by China International
Water and Electric cooperation, while Ayago would be constructed by China
Gezhouba Group Company. He directed the Ministers to conclude the negotiations
and documentation with the Chinese Government so as to finance the
project.
Pentagon Kamusiime, the MP Butemba County says the President’s action is a
deliberate disrespect for public institutions.
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James Waluswaka the Bunyole West MP says the President made the
decisions because of the delay in the procurement process. He says that they
want to meet the President over the matter.
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Elijah Okupa the Kasilo County MP says even when a President gives
the directive you have to follow the law and therefore the PPDA team should
come and answer to the committee what went wrong.
Robert Kafeero Ssekitoleko, the committee chairperson ruled to
send away the delegation for appearing without the New Minister of Energy, Mary
Kitutu and the former Minister Irene Muloni to answer the questions.
He also said the teams led by the Uganda Electricity Generation
Company Limited (UEGCL) and Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited
(UETCL) were not fully constituted.
Alex Otto
Freelancer