The Inspector-General of Government (IGG), Beti Kamya, has vowed to get to the bottom of any improprieties in Speaker Rt Hon Jacob Oulanyah’s funeral expenses.
Kamya’s decision follows an outrage that gripped the country at the start of the week when it was reported that the National Organizing Committee for Oulanyah’s burial led by Presidency minister Milly Babalanda had asked for a whooping Shs2.5bn.
“Regarding the budget for burying Rt Hon Oulanyah, what matters is not the figures but the activities involved and the status of the deceased,” Babalanda justified her decision.
On Tuesday, the Minister of State for Planning, Amos Lugoloobi, tabled a statement on Statutory revision of the Budget of Vote 104 (Parliamentary Commission) for FY 2021/22 by Shs1.8bn to facilitate burial expenditures.
“The Spirit of the departed Jacob Oulanyah must be horrified by the obscene cash bonanza in his funeral expenses, he’d not allow it if he had a choice,” said Kamya on Tuesday.
The Spirit of the departed @JacobOulanyah must be horrified by the obscene cash bonanza in his #funeral expenses, he'd not allow it if he had a choice.
The @IGGUganda will honor him by taking interest in allegations of impropriety in his funeral #expenses. pic.twitter.com/5dgzHSxpWk— Beti Kamya Turwomwe (@IGGBetiKamya) March 30, 2022
She said the IGG will honor him by taking interest in allegations of impropriety in his funeral expenses.
Kamya also shared a memo by the Chief Administrative Officer of Pader District asking town clerks and senior assistant secretaries to contribute towards the burial arrangements of the late Speaker.
According to the memo dated March 29, 2022, all town councils are expected to make a minimum contribution of about Shs500,000 while sub-counties are expected to contribute Shs3000,000.
“Remember his speech during the 2019 Anti-Corruption walk? May his soul rest in Eternal Peace!” she added.
Oulanyah will be buried on Friday April 8, 2022, in Omoro District.