District runs to ‘tormented’ ActionAid to fund its Independence budget, get ‘yes but no’ answer

By our reporter

ActionAid Uganda is unable to fund Katakwi District Independence celebrations due to its frozen bank accounts.

On Tuesday, Katakwi District Council issued a letter requesting for financial support from the Non-Governmental Organisation to enable it celebrate the belated Independence which is scheduled to take place on 19^th October, 2017.

“Aware that the Independence is celebrated on 9^th October every year, but due to the National celebrations the District could not hold celebrations on the exact date,” said Jose Jimmy W Lorwor, the Katakwi Chief Administrative Officer.

“The district celebrations for this year will be held on Thursday  19^th October, 2017. It’s in this regard that we are requesting for any form of support to make the celebrations a success,” he added.

However, replying through their twitter, ActionAid has revealed that they are unable to support government due to the frozen bank accounts.

“And we are unable to support Govt because our accounts are frozen,” ActionAid twitted.

Last Friday, Bank of Uganda ordered Standard Charted Bank to freeze all the five accounts belonging to the NGO.

In a letter,Louis Kasakende, the Deputy governor Bank of Uganda explained that the Criminal Investigation Directorate (CID) of the police is investigating Action Aid International Uganda for alleged conspiracy to commit a felony and money laundering.

Kasakende listed five bank accounts belonging to the NGO held at Standard Chartered which police CID is investigating.

Pursuant, to section 110 of the Financial Institutions Act, 2004, Kasakende directed the bank to freeze all the listed accounts.

“The accounts in question shall remain frozen until otherwise advised by Bank of Uganda,” reads part of the letter.

Last month on September 21, police cordoned the offices of the organization on allegation of supporting anti age limit removal masses through funding illegal activities like processions.