National Unity Platform president Robert Kyagulanyi has until March 31 to explain whether his recently acquired bulletproof vehicle is one of his assets, the Inspectorate of Government (IG) has said.
Addressing journalists yesterday, Ms Annet Twine, the director of the Leadership Code at IG, said like all other leaders, Mr Kyagulanyi, who is a political party head and a Member of Parliament, is required under Section 10 of the Leadership Code Act, to declare all his wealth.
Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine recently acquired a new vehicle which he claims is a donation from supporters.
“He (Kyagulanyi) still has time to make a declaration. Under section 10 of the Leadership Code, when you receive a gift in the course of your duties, you have to declare it. We shall wait until he submits his declaration and see how he explains how he got it,” she said.
Bobi Wine who came runner up in the just concluded polls says that from the time his campaign team was attacked with live bullets and “particularly when a projectile hit Dan Magic smashing his face”, many Ugandans out of concern sent him bullet proof vests and ballistic helmets, which he put on throughout the campaign period.
“If it is a donation, there is a provision for him to explain how he came to own and it can be verified” she added.
The leadership code requires all leaders who are mandated to declare their assets and liabilities to do so within the prescribed time to avoid being caught on the wrong side of the law. In this case, the period is between 1st March 2021 to 31st March 2021.
The IG’s mandate is however stops at investigating or cause investigation, arrest or cause arrest, prosecute or cause prosecution, make orders and give directions during investigations.
The deputy IGG justice George Bamugemereire said the office of the IG is working closely with Parliament, to expedite the passing of the Leadership Code Tribunal Act Amendment Bill which among other things seeks amendments to the Act to give the IGG powers to prosecute, investigate and handover of cases to the Leadership Code Tribunal for hearing.
He added that unlike public perception that government is doing little to curb corruption, the various efforts which government has put in place to fight graft have started bearing fruits.
“Previously, accounting officers on Friday would go to Bank of Uganda and withdraw sacks of money to distribute to politicians for the weekend. But now with automation and when the Leadership Code Amendment Bill is passed, it will be very difficult for someone to be corrupt,” he said.
The Ethics minister Rev Fr Simon Lokodo, decried the delay by the President to appoint a substantive IGG, noting that the Deputy IGG’s term of office also expires in six months’ time.