The Leader of the Opposition (LoP), Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi has tasked the Minister for Finance, Planning and Economic Development to current earlier than Parliament, accountability of the Shs263.33 billion invested in Roko Construction Company.
In July 2022, authorities acquired preferential shares in Roko Construction Company as a part of an fairness funding to maintain the corporate afloat.
Ssenyonyi mentioned that whereas authorities invested within the firm to make sure completion of building of tasks resembling Parliamentary Chambers and Uganda Cancer Institute, amongst others, little progress has been made.
“Government’s stake was to make sure that these tasks proceed at once because the collapse of Roko would result in delay. However, so far, a number of the infrastructure tasks that have been fronted as the rationale for the approval of this funding haven’t been accomplished,” Ssenyonyi mentioned.
The LoP made these calls for in his report back to the House on Tuesday, 22 October 2022.
“Government should replace Parliament on the newest monetary standings of this firm provided that authorities approached Parliament with the bail out request. I feel it’s prudent that the House is given accountability,” mentioned Ssenyonyi.
He additionally desires the Attorney General, Hon. Kiryowa Kiwanuka to desk in Parliament, the shares settlement between authorities and Roko.
“Government shares will not be clear; there may be have to make clear this. It isn’t generally known as as to if amendments have been made to incorporate authorities investments and the way a lot authorities owns in fairness and what kind of shares,” he mentioned.
The LoP additional referred to as for investigation into governance challenges within the firm saying that staff there have severally complained of non-payment.
“Government mentioned the purpose of the bail out was aimed toward saving jobs. Is authorities conscious of issues by staff?” Ssenyonyi requested.
Ssenyonyi’s issues are premised on a failed oversight go to to the corporate’s premises the place he led a delegation of Opposition lawmakers on Monday, 14 October 2024 however have been denied entry.
“The managing director mentioned that the board had rejected the deliberate engagement with the Members of Parliament and the corporate’s administration. Please, encourage Roko, in the event that they don’t have anything to cover, they need to be open,” mentioned Ssenyonyi.
Speaker Anita Among urged the Minister of Finance and the Attorney General to make a response to the LoP’s report.
“We have our cash that’s with Roko; we have to know the way the cash is getting used and most significantly, what members are asking. You have to have an interface with Roko and provides a report back to this House,” mentioned Among.
The Minister of State, Finance, Planning and Economic Development (General Duties), Hon. Henry Musasizi pledged to current the response.
“I do commit that we will convey a report concerning the points which the LoP has raised,” Musasizi mentioned.
