Five opposition MPs among thirty being investigated for embezzling Shs164 billion
Minister Ntabaazi made the remarks while appearing before Parliament's Trade Committee on Monday, December 11, 2023.
The Minister of State for Trade, Harriet Ntabaazi has revealed that 30 MPs are facing criminal investigation into their role in the embezzlement of Shs164bn meant for cooperatives compensation, and among the culprits include five ‘talkative’ and ‘noisy’ Opposition MPs.
Minister Ntabaazi made the remarks while appearing before Parliament’s Trade Committee on Monday, December 11, 2023.
“The Criminal Investigation Directorate (CID) is taking on files, around 5 files have been identified, and the good thing with it, it wasn’t only the Ministry, there are MPs more than 30 MPs who are into this including Opposition MPs, five active opposition MPs very talkative and noisemakers will also face it rough. We shall also face it as a Ministry, but they will also face it. So, we aren’t scared, we shall also face it wherever it will end, God knows, let it unfold that way,” said Ntabaazi.
She called for calm amongst MPs, saying the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives will continue executing its mandate amidst the embezzlement probe, reminding MPs that even when the Office of the Prime Minister was embroiled in the scandal for the theft of iron sheets, business continued as usual.
“We aren’t scared, we shall undertake it because it is now beyond us, we are before the security investigatory organs of Government, let us battle out there and the law will have it all. That shouldn’t worry the Committee and that won’t stop the government from working, otherwise, that would have stopped the Office of the Prime Minister from working, where the iron sheets were. So I beg you that you cool down, those organs of Government are doing their work,” said Ntabaazi.
It should be noted that In June 2023, The Office Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP) announced its decision to drop investigations into 17 high-profile government officials accused of stealing or irregularly benefiting from the diversion of iron sheets meant for the Karamoja sub-region.
“17 case files have been closed and put away due to insufficiency of evidence,” the ODPP said in a statement.
“In considering the blameworthiness of the suspects, a number of factors were taken into account, including the circumstances under which the iron sheets were received, the manner of use of the iron sheets upon receipt, and refunds made in kind and cash”
