Minister of State for Investment and Privatization Evelyn Anite announced that she successfully prevented the misappropriation of €8 million (approximately 40 billion Ugandan shillings) by the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA).
The substantial sum was about to be irregularly paid to the contractor responsible for the Namanve Industrial Park project. The payment was intended to cover additional expenses related to modern road and drainage infrastructure development within the park. However, Anite intervened just in time to halt the transaction.
In a Twitter Space discussion on Monday, Anite revealed the details of her intervention. “While I was focused on attracting investors, I received complaints from the contractor about delayed project completion. They informed me that the UIA wanted to pay them €8 million. The contractor, Lagan Dott Namanve Limited, hadn’t requested this payment,” she explained.
Anite further elaborated on the situation, highlighting the contractor’s concerns about corruption. “Lagan, a British company, informed me and the President about the irregular payment. The World Bank had previously halted funding due to corruption fears. Therefore, Lagan kept the money to be released only upon proper requisition,” she said.
Following her involvement, Anite faced pressure from various high-ranking government officials questioning her decision to block the payment. She escalated the issue to President Museveni, who directed her to consult the Attorney General to stop the payment.
“Just as I saved Uganda Telecom, making it 100% government-owned, I have saved Ugandans another 40 billion that would have been lost,” Anite stated.
This development sheds light on the significant corruption within the Uganda Investment Authority. Additionally, there is another contentious issue involving the disbursement of honoraria totaling 545 million shillings to UIA top executives. These payments were controversially drawn from an 871 billion shillings loan (approximately €219 million) secured from UK Export Finance (UKEF) in 2019 to finance the Namanve Industrial Park project.
The project management team failed to provide adequate supervision, delaying critical studies and designs necessary for construction commencement. This led to significant project delays.
Lagan Dott Namanve Limited, the contractor, wrote to UIA Executive Director Robert Mukiza, Finance Minister Matia Kasaija, and Minister Anite, seeking clarification on the payments and tax implications. Notably, UIA Director General Robert Mukiza received 82 million shillings, and Deputy Director General Dr. Paul Kyalimpa received 58 million, among others.
 by the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA).){kind=link}