The newly appointed Vice President Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi has been dragged to the Inspectorate of Government over charges of abuse of office.
In a complaint filed before the IGG yesterday, Jude Mbabali, Ssekandi's opponent in the Bukoto Central parliamentary elections, also accuses Ssekandi of abusing public property and embezzlement.
The letter has been copied to the President, Inspector General of Police, Director Public Prosecutions, Auditor General, Clerk to Parliament, Uganda Anti Corruption Coalition and leaders of political parties.
Mbabali claims that during the campaigns, Ssekandi used government vehicles, fuel, employees and other government facilities that he was entitled to as Speaker of Parliament. He allegedly diverted them to his private use while carrying out his campaign activities thereby committing the offence of Abuse of office contrary to section 11 subsection one of the anti corruption Act 2009.
The same accusations could constitute the offence of embezzlement contrary to section 19 (a) sub section one of the anti corruption act 2009 and abuse of public property contrary to section 13 (1) and (2) of the leadership code Act.
Mbabali says he has video footage as proof that Ssekandi used official government vehicles registration numbers UG 0163H, UG 0080H and UP 2601 for his private parliamentary campaigns. In total Ssekandi spent fuel worth fifty million shillings at Total Petrol station opposite Uganda House.
The government employees the new vice president allegedly used include police officers Twesiime Nathan, Okello Yacinto, Mbonizana Samuel and Emuna Simon. He also reportedly employed Wandera Stephen and Augudubo Emmanuel both drivers.
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Mbabali is now asking the IGG to investigate and Ssekandi within one week. If the IGG does not act, Mbabali says will instruct his lawyers, Lukwago and Company advocates to privately prosecute Ssekandi for abuse of office, abuse of public property and embezzlement of government fuel. He adds that he was given assurance by Rapheal Baku, the IGG that there is an offence and that Ssekandi would be arrested.
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Our reporter could not independently verify these claims. Efforts to get a comment from Munira Ali, the IGG's publicist were futile as she was reportedly out of office and her mobile phone was unavailable.
During the campaigns, Ssekandi admitted that he was entitled to using government vehicles, fuel and employees during his campaign as per the provisions of the constitution. However, there is no constitutional provision that authorizes the sitting speaker to use government facilities for his campaign.
Mbabali on Monday this week also filed an election petition at the high court in Kampala in which he is suing Ssekandi and the Electoral commission over the same matter.
Ssekandi was named Vice President by President Yoweri Museveni in an NRM caucus meeting currently sitting in Entebbe. Museveni also named former security minister as prime minister.
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