Juliet Adikot, the bodyguard to the former Bank of Uganda Executive Director, Bank Supervision, Justine Bagyenda, has been forced to take oath before the Parliament Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE).
Adikot was among other Bank officers summoned to appear before the committee that is currently probing Bank of Uganda over the irregular closure of the seven defunct banks.
She was summoned to answer questions relating to her role in the smuggling of unidentified documents and material from the bank under the instructions from her immediate boss.
On Tuesday, the Head of Bank Security told legislators that on Sunday 11, February, 2018, Adikot was spotted on camera footage carrying three bags of unidentified materials from the bank into Bagyenda’s vehicle after dodging security machines.
On arrival at Parliament however, Adikot was hesitant to enter the committee room but was compelled by Parliament security into the room.
Adikot was then told to take oath before she could do anything as it was the case with the other three witnesses in connection to the incident, but she declined.
A seemingly afraid Adikot told legislators that she could not say anything in absence of her boss, Bagyenda who is currently reported to be in the U.S.
The Committee Chairperson, Abdul Katuntu was quick to remind Adikot that there was no need to wait for Bagyenda since she wasn’t the one captured sneaking out bags from the Bank but herself (Adikot). Katuntu informed Adikot that her actions as captured on video footage make her solely responsible.
“You must tell us everything since you were captured on the CCTV cameras. You are going to tell this Committee what happened, why you bypassed the security system and in case you knew the contents of the bags,” Katuntu said.
Adikot again protested taking oath noting that she was barred from saying anything or even taking oath without being authorized by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) according to the Police Standing Orders.
Katuntu again put her to order reminding her that committee has the powers of the High Court granted by Article 90 of the Constitution which suspends all other laws and standing orders.
“You are going to say everything. There is only one law that is in this country which is superior, that is the Constitution. Your standing orders are subject to the constitution,” Katuntu said.
The witness later gave in and took oath that would bind her to tell nothing but the truth to the committee.
She together with Bagyenda’s driver, Job Turyahabwe, Charles Muhoro and Beatrice Kyambadde the Security Assistant who were at the checkpoint have been handed over to the select committee headed by UPDF representative Francis Takirwa, Betty Muzanira, Andrew Aja and Nathan Itungo.
The four member committee was instituted yesterday by Katuntu to review the security footage at Bank of Uganda, particularly the incident when the said documents were smuggled out, and present its findings to the larger COSASE committee.
