UGANDA, Kampala | Real Muloodi News | Members of Parliament on the Parliamentary Commission, Statutory Authority, and State Enterprise–COSASE, led by their Committee chairperson, Joel Ssenyonyi, have called for the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) to search for Barbara Imaryo, the Uganda Land Commission-ULC secretary and accounting officer, to undergo an accountability investigation.
The decision was made during a sectoral meeting on Thursday May 19, after Imaryo for the seventh time ignored the committee’s summons to attend and answer questions over irregular payments she had authorised.
Among the other concerns is the irregular payment of USh10.6 billion to six claimants without the consent of the commission, two of whom are non-existent.
Ssenyonyi revealed that, despite the arrest warrant they had already issued to the Parliament’s Police Commander to arrest Imaryo on sight, the police had yet to arrest her.
Reports in the media claim that the suspect is being protected by “powerful people” in the government who may have helped her flee the country.
According to Ssenyonyi, Imaryo is either hiding or has been supported in fleeing the country by her “godfathers,” causing them to seek an interview with the Inspector General of Police to engage Interpol.
The Kasilo County lawmaker noticed that the money that has been illegally handed out is substantial and that withholding the facts will exacerbate Imaryo’s plight since she and her “godfathers” will eventually be revealed.
The MPs also agreed to publish Imaryo’s photograph in national newspapers to publicise the matter and raise awareness.
The committee also sent Siraj Isabirye, the former Senior Accountant of the Uganda Land Commission, to the Criminal Intelligence Investigations Department – CIID, after he failed to confirm the questioned financial transactions.
Meanwhile, Beatrice Byenkya Nyakaisiki, the ULC Chairperson, who was jointly suspended earlier this year with Imaryo on President Museveni’s directive, identified the two ghost land claimants in the USh10.6 billion pay-out as Julius Busuulwa and Natali Namuli in her submissions as a witness before the Committee at the same meeting.
Busuulwa was paid USh1.4 billion in an audit report for the fiscal year 2020/2021, while Namuli earned USh1.6 billion, both of which were unsubstantiated.
Furthermore, USh1.2 billion was paid for outstanding arrears from the previous year that were not included as payables in the financial records.
Additionally, the Uganda Revenue Authority was not paid a withholding tax of USh22 million (URA).
Siraj Isabirye, the former ULC accountant, testified before MPs that he was forced to transfer the money to the claimants due to Imaryo’s directions.
READ MORE LIKE THIS:
Museveni Orders Suspension of Uganda Land Commission Bosses, Calls for Investigation
ULC Boss Beatrice Byenkya Exposes Politicians Behind Nakawa-Naguru Land Row
Parliament Cancels Four Nakawa-Naguru Land Titles and Upholds Others
