The ongoing investigation into the mismanagement of refugees’ resources by officials from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) has prompted Parliament to demand for a statement from government on the alleged corruption.
Uganda has come under the spotlight in recent days after allegations emerged citing mismanagement of refugee funds and alleged over declaration in thr numbers of the refugees currently hosted in the country. As a result, the United Nations (UN) has embarked on a joint investigation with OPM on the allegations.
Some officials at OPM are accused of involving in fraudulent practices, creating ghost refugees and mismanaging monies as well as other relief items meant for refugees by officials in the Office of the Prime Minister.
Other allegations include soliciting bribes from refugees in order to get the screened and handing scholarships meant for refugees to Ugandans.
While deliberating on the issue on Wednesday, Kasiro County MP, Elijah Okupa noted that the country and Parliament have been kept in the dark only to feed on heresy over the allegations demanding that the Prime Minister reports to the House with the statement on the allegations.
Okupa said that the country is at risk of losing its hard earned image and will be tainted as a corrupt country that only uses refuges for selfish gains.
“It is quite disheartening that Uganda is now losing all its credibility and the hard earned reputation due to the fraud and corruption allegations on the refugee funds,” Okupa said.
“We should demand for a response from government. We are only reading in the papers that some Commissioners have been interdicted; this looks like a repeat of what happened with the PRDP funds. The House needs an explanation,” Okupa said.
The legislator also demanded an explanation on other allegations that government entered an agreement with the government of Israel for the deportation of Eritrea and South Sudan refugees.
“We have heard a lot of heresy and government has kept quiet, we deserve to have answers as a country. We must clean our house and these things must be dealt with, the Prime Minister must make a statement on these issues,” Okupa demanded.
The Obongi county MP, Hassan Kaps Fungaroo requested that the Speaker uses her powers and the authority of Parliament to demand that the refugee sector is shifted from the Prime Minister’s office to another government institution since it has become a norm for OPM officials to engage in corruption.
The Speaker, Rebecca Kadaga as well noted that she faced heard moments in Israel where some civil society organizations in have already registered case in courts against the said arrangement to deport African migrants.
Kadaga subsequently ruled that government should avail a statement to the House to clarify on issues regarding refugees in the country.
Uganda currently hosts over 1.4 million refugees from South Sudan, DR Congo, Burundi and Somalia among others.