Over 30 MPs face criminal investigation for embezzlement of Shs164Bn meant for Cooperatives compensation
The Minister of State for Trade, Harriet Ntabaazi has revealed that 30 Members of Parliament (MPs) are facing criminal investigation into their role in the embezzlement Shs164Bn meant for Cooperatives compensation.
Minister Ntabaazi made the remarks while appearing before Parliament’s Trade Committee where 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 Government from working, otherwise that would have stopped the Office of 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.
She further revealed that those investigated by Criminal Investigation Directorate in the scandal include some opposition MPs.
“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 noise makers 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 Minister Ntabaazi.
The Government has over the years fully or partly compensated some of the cooperative unions. However, several cooperatives are still demanding for money as compensation from Government and most of the times the funds are misappropriated.
