The Bank of Uganda Deputy Governor, Dr. Louis Kasekende has asked the Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga to find an appropriate punishment for Aruu County MP, Odonga Otto for ‘exposing his wealth’.
In his written response to the Speaker, Kasekende described Odonga’s documents as defamatory.
“I therefore pray that you consider the said defamatory statements and provide any redress you may find appropriate under the rules of Parliament that regulate the conduct of members of Parliament,” Kasekende wrote.
Kasekende also denied ever working with a one Musiitwa as his driver as alleged by Otto.
The Deputy Governor also informed the Speaker that the subject of his wealth is being handled by the Inspector General of Government.
“In respect to the land titles I won, I should state that there is an on-going verification exercise being conducted by the office of the Inspector General of Government in relation to asset declarations by all senior staff of the Bank of Uganda whom I am part of,” Kasekende wrote.
It should be recalled that on 13th December 2018, Otto caused commotion in COSASE when he attempted to table the said documents, a procedure that didn’t sit go down well with the Committee of Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) Chairman, Abdu Katuntu, who tried to establish the relevance of Kasekende’s wealth to the Bank of Uganda probe.
Odonga accused Kasekende of being part of the Bank of Uganda team that negotiated for the sale of the residual loan portfolio of International Credit Bank, Cooperative Bank and Greenland Bank to Nile River Acquisition Company at a 93% discount saying, the Deputy Governor personally benefitted from the said sale.
The Legislator also tabled documents claiming to be evidence that MMAKS Advocates which had been hired as legal advisors in the resolution of National Bank of Commerce and Crane Bank deposited Shs1.9bn on the account of Edith Kasekende, who is the wife to the Deputy Governor.
Furthermore, Otto also alleged that the Chinese Company constructing the Masaka currency Centre, China Railway deposited Shs1.6bn on the account of Edith Kasekende, while Tororo district deposited USD71,000 on Kasekende’s personal account.
Odonga also claimed that Kasekende owns 72 properties and had them registered in his names and the property are situated in and around Kampala, with some of these properties having been inappropriately transferred to his driver’s names a one Moses Musiitwa.
Against this background, a three- member select Committee was formed from COSASE to investigate Kasekende’s purported wealth.
While its report was expected before the year ends, the Committee has asked for more time until next year to present their findings.
The development was communicated by Katuntu on Thursday during the last interaction between Bank of Uganda and MPs regarding the controversial closure and sale of seven defunct Banks.
“The reason why we constituted this team was to check the authenticity and relevancy of that report and we are awaiting that report. I have been briefed they aren’t ready because it involves so many offices,” Katuntu said.
He added: “When we resume, it is at that juncture that we will decide on the fate of those documents. The consideration will be on two grounds whether they’re authentic or relevant. As of now, we don’t know. We want to give the committee chance to report and that report will be shared by the Deputy Governor.”
The Committee is headed by COSASE Vice Chairperson, Anita Among also comprises of UPDF Representative Francis Takirwa and Kiruhura Woman, Sheila Mwine.
