The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
By Julius Odeke
The main political party Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has demanded prosecution of all officials reported to have had a hand in the embezzled funds meant for immunisation campaigns under the Global Alliance for Vaccines and immunisation (GAVI).
The FDC’s mouthpiece Phili Wafula Oguttu while in a press conference at the party’s headquarters in Najjanakumbi yesterday, said all the major corruption scandals in Uganda “originate and end in State House.”
“These would be four but now why is it that it is only Michael Mukula who has been prosecuted. Janet Kataha and Alice Kaboyo should all be in Luzira prisons because all of them were named in the rot,” said Oguttu.
This follows how the Anti-Corruption Court sentenced former state minister for health Mukula to four years in prison for embezzling Shs210 million from the GAVI account.
Many people have all said that this is a pure indication of selective judgement that is being executed by the NRM government while leaving people who come from Western region.
The following that include; Jim Muhwezi (former Health minister), and Dr Alex Kamugisha (former Junior Minister) have not been prosecuted but were let off the hook. Kaboyo, the former private secretary in-charge of Political affairs at State House was convicted and fined Shs20m only.
Meanwhile the people from Teso region under the headship of the former Anglican Bishop Charles Benard Obaikol Ebitu are organizing to see the president over the issue. They plan to plead for the release of their son Mukula.
However, a few sections of the group seem to disagree since some are saying Iteso should not plead but should have a demonstration in all districts in Teso.
The former LCV chairman for Amuria Julius Ochen says, “We cannot let our own to rot in Luzira prison and yet the big fish is out enjoying the serene of loot.”
Ochen is a Uganda People’s Congress chief mobiliser in Teso but says Mukula’s prosecution has nothing to do with the theft of Gavi funds but is a political issue that is schemed with intent to damage his reputation.
