The Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi maintains that he will not step aside in respect of the ongoing investigations in the oil sector. The premier told MPs on the Adhoc committee on oil that resolutions of parliament did not target the Prime Minister but the President.
The PM told legislators that he will not interfere with the investigations even if he retained his seat. He assured the committee that he does not spend too much time following what happens in the committee.
But Hussein Kyanjo, the Makindye West MP asked Mbabazi to explain how he got several confidential letters that were not addressed to him. He was also put to task to respond how he got a report addressed to the inspector general of police concerning the now controversial oil documents that the PM and two cabinet minister maintain are forged. Mbabazi together with foreign affairs minister Sam Kutesa and internal affairs minster Hillary Onek are a subject of parliamentary investigations on allegations that they received bribes from oil exploration companies.
He was also asked to explain how a letter addressed to the Speaker, Rebecca Kadaga landed in his hands even before the speaker saw the letter. The premier was still not clear on how he got the letters and report. He said the report was picked from police.
On the issue of the bank accounts and his financial dealings, Mbabazi refused to submit details of his accounts, emails, and faxes. To him, there was no reason for the committee to venture in his private life. Kyanjo wanted Mbabazi to provide bank details, wealth declaration and his means of communication for the last six years.
But Michael Werikhe, the committee chairperson interjected to guide the committee. He advised that given the precedence during Kutesa’s testimony, the committee would follow the same procedure. Werikhe noted that the committee would officially request the IGG and Bank of Uganda to provide bank details and wealth declaration forms.
Mbabazi denied any contact with ENI, a company for which he was said to be a patron. The premier said he only got in contact with the company when South African President Jacob Zuma made a state visit to Uganda. He also denied facilitating any meeting between ENI and Tullow oil.
MPs were dissatisfied with the manner the PM had been answering the questions. His presentation was characterized by the yes and no type of answers and he kept glossing over while responding to questions by legislators. This agitated the MPs especially Dokolo Woman MP Cecilia Ogwal and Kyanjo. They interjected on several occasions asking Mbabazi to expound on his answers. The PM kept saying it is not true on many allegations and alleged meetings he is alleged to have had.
Asked how the story on the online whistleblower Wikileaks came about, Mbabazi requested the committee to invite the American Embassy, noting that they need to prove who the authors of the documents used by Wikileaks are.
