The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Criminal Investigations Directorate-CID has dismissed claims that they are harassing the former Presidency Minister, Esther Mbayo.
Recently, CID invited Mbayo to appear before the CID headquarters for interrogations in connection to the ongoing investigations into the embezzlement scandal at Uganda Printing and Publishing Corporation-UPPC.
“The Directorate of Criminal Investigations is investigating allegations of abuse of office, embezzlement and causing financial loss of Uganda Printing and Publishing Corporation -UPPC where you were a supervisor of the corporation from 2019 to 2021,” reads the September 13th, 2021 summons.
Adding that “This serves as a summon to you to appear at CID headquarters Kibuli on 15th September 2021 before Ag. CP Economic Crime and Financial Intelligence for a statement in respect of the said investigation.”
The investigation started after the Presidency Minister Milly Babalanda temporary suspended the board of Governors and Corporation’s top management led by Prof Tomas Davis Wasswa to pave way for investigations into fraud and financial impropriety at UPPC.
Now, Charles Twine, the Spokesperson of the Criminal Investigations Directorate, says despite summoning Mbayo on September 13th, 2021 she has never appeared at CID headquarters.
He, however, says that to their shock, Mbayo recently appeared on the floor of parliament claiming that she was harassed at CID headquarters in Kibuli-Kampala. “The summon was duly served to the office of the speaker, and we received the feedback that Mbayo was outside the country. The speaker guided that the member would appear at any date once she return to the country. Twine said”.
“But to our dismay, the Member of Parliament was seen recently on the follow of parliament and blatantly lied how she was at CID headquarters and she was harassed. I want to clarify that Mbayo has never been at CID headquarters and no one has harassed her,” he added. He says Mbayo’s claims are intended to divert the ongoing investigations.
Last Month, detectives recovered UGX 600 million out of the Shillings 3 billion believed to have siphoned from Uganda Printing and Publishing Corporation. Twine says that some suspects have offered to return some more money as investigations are ongoing.
***
URN
