By Stephen Kalema
President Museveni has followed up on his defence of the probe into Bank of Uganda officials by saying he will nottolerate any civil servant caught in corruption scandal.
Early this week, while presiding over a Cabinet meeting, the President reportedly rejected an attempt by finance minister Matia Kasaija to halt the probe into the operations of Bank of Uganda (BoU) by MPs on the Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (Cosase).
Bank of Uganda of Uganda officials led by Governor Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebile are being investigated over undefined closure of seven commercial banks.
“If we allow this probe to continue it will negatively affect our financial sector hence setting a bad precedent to our central bank,” said Kasaija.
However, President Museveni rejected Kasaija’s proposal saying he was enjoying what Cosase is doing to the Bank of Uganda officials and that the cabinet will not protect corrupt officials of Bank of Uganda.
“I advised them not to quickly close Sudhir (Ruparelia)’s Crane Bank but they didn’t listen to me,” said Museveni.
“Unfortunately my advice was regarded as nonsense. So let Cosase do its job and let them (BoU officials) face it rough. I was very skeptical of this when Bank of Uganda officials refused to listen to my advice,” added Museveni.
On Tuesday, during the National Anti-Corruption Dialogue in Kampala, the President reiterated his desire to wipe out corruption among government officials and offices. “There is too much corruption in government authorities; Uganda Revenue Authority, Kampala Capital City Authority and Bank of Uganda, and I will not defend any corrupt official facing investigations,” he said.
“Our laws are very clear we are shall not at any time tolerate any civil servant caught in corruption scandal. Any official has to defend him/ herself.”
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