Three ministers have resigned from cabinet just a day before they are scheduled to appear at the anti corruption court to answer charges of abuse of office and causing financial loss in relation to CHOGM procurements.
Foreign affairs minister Sam Kutesa, Chief Whip John Nasasira and state minister for labour Mwesigwa Rukutana issued a joint statement on Wednesday detailing the reasons for their resignation.
The ministers say that they have decided to quit in the interest of the party and the government they serve. Speaking to Uganda Radio Network, Rukutana said that since they are appearing in court on Thursday to answer charges arising from their official duties, they have decided to take leave and wait to demonstrate their innocence before court.
The ministers further say they have resigned to allow the due process of the law, which they deeply believe in to take its course.
Sources say Premier Mbabazi chaired an emergency cabinet meeting on Wednesday but the three ministers did not attend.
The news comes just as President Yoweri Museveni addresses the nation on the now controversial oil sector, following allegations of bribery involving Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi, Sam Kutesa and internal affairs minister Hilary Onek.
Irene Akwankwasa, the chief magistrate of the anti corruption court last week issued criminal summons against the ministers after Sarah Birungi, the head of prosecution Inspectorate of Government presented a charge sheet for the suspects before the anti corruption court. The trio is wanted for abuse of office and causing government a financial loss of 14 billion shillings.
The charge sheet shows that on December 17, 2005, while at Speke Resort Munyonyo, the trio abused their authority when they acted prejudicial to the interests of government. It is alleged that the trio irregularly convened a consultative sub committee on behalf of the Cabinet Sub Committee on CHOGM. During the said meeting, the trio decided that government would fund the construction of drives ways, parking areas and Marinas at Munyonyo Speke hotel without authorization.
It is alleged that the officials irregularly committed government to fund the construction at shillings 14 billion, well knowing that such a commitment would cause a financial loss.
The trial of the trio, will bring to four the number of senior government officials facing trial for the abuse of CHOGM funds. In May 2011, the Inspectorate of Government dragged Gilbert Bukenya, the former Vice president before the anti corruption court to face trial for abuse of CHOGM funds.
