Deepening Democracy Programme—DDP is demanding for full accountability of 98 million shillings extended to the Uganda People’s Congress.
DDP has been supporting capacity building in political parties in Uganda and UPC is one of the parties that have been receiving support since 2010.
The donors signed the agreement on the 20th and 22nd of October 2011 which was then forwarded to the then party secretary general John Odit to sign.
For the last six months, the party received 199 million shillings out of which the contentious 98 million shillings was meant to furnish and renovate the party headquarters, implement the strategic plan, hold regional workshops and a national youth convention.
Nicholas De Torente, the programme manager for DDP, now Democratic Governance Facility, says an agreement was signed between them and UPC secretary general John Odit.
Accountability of the funds was expected 15 days after the implementation of the party programmes which were given a deadline of December 31st 2011 as per the agreement.
Nicholas says they have previously signed agreements with several UPC secretary generals not as individuals but on behalf of the party and expect accountability from the existing party structure.
//Cue in: Our relationship as a …”
Cue out:…funds that have been used.”//
However, UPC in its internal turmoil has seen many officials fired including Odit, David Pulkol, the former national mobiliser, Maj. Edward Rurangaranga, national chairman and Moses Niwagaba.
The party President Olara Otunnu accuses the officials of misusing and squandering donor money without the knowledge of the party Cabinet. According to Otunnu by the time his cabinet knew that the money had been wired to the UPC account; it had already been spent by the four officials.
The money had been wired onto the UPC account number 118762020203101 in Orient bank on the November 2nd 2011. Withdrawals by Amos Ogwal, the former UPC accountant on the orders of Odit started from November 10th to December 1st in eight installments.
Otunnu argues that there was no cabinet meeting to discuss the grant and the activities meant to be carried out did not take place.
//Cue in: We had no idea that this…”
Cue out:…on this grant came from DDP.”//
He says the party under his leadership shall not provide accountability to the donors and asked them to open up an investigation into the funds.
//Cue in: We said to them…”
Cue out:…like an immediate investigation.”//
But Odit tells URN that the cabinet sat on November 8th to discuss implementation of the strategic plan well aware that the money from the donors had already been received. A Buganda leaders meeting commissioned by Otunnu to discuss carrying out of grassroots elections was also held, according to Odit.
He adds that 13 regional meetings and a national youth convention were held in Kireka as per the agreement between the party and the donors.
//Cue in: This fund was meant to…”
Cue out:…disburse them to target areas.”//
Odit reveals that the donors attached a grant officer, Robert Odeke, to oversee how the finances were being used which De Torente also confirmed to URN.
Odeke reveals to URN that auditors from the Danish International Development Agency (Danida) are working with Amos Ogwal to prepare the final accountability report for the period July 1st to 31st December 2011.
