The Inspector General of Government (IGG) is to probe the Bank of Uganda Executive Director in charge of supervision, Justine Bagyenda over possible links to corruption, tax evasion and fraud, Eagle reported on Wednesday.
Denis Nyombi ,a lawyer from Denis Nyombi & Co. Advocates had petitioned the office of the IGG asking for investigations into the wealth of Bagyenda over allegations that she evaded paying income tax for ten years on revenues earned from her Naguru apartments, Munira Ali the IGG Spokesperson. Bagyenda is said have rented her apartments to the top officials of the defunct Crane Bank, earning millions of shillings without paying income tax as required by law.
According to Munira, the first meeting was held between the IGG and the petitioner, Dick Kimeze, to basically understand the ground and the issues raised by the petitioner before investigations into Bagyenda’s alleged tax evasion can begin. She said the second meeting is scheduled before investigations can begin.
Multibillion properties
Last month, Nyombi claims to be privy to information that Bagyenda under declared her assets and liabilities to the IGG, contrary the Leadership Code Act, 2002.
He says he has documents linking Bagyenda and other officials in the directorate of supervision at the Bank of Uganda to several properties yet they earn a gross monthly salary of less than Shs32m.
“Pursuant to the Whistle Blowers Protection ACT, 2010, any person with information that can be helpful in the fight against corruption and fraud is encouraged to present his case and that’s why I petitioned,” Nnyombi said, adding that Bagyenda should be investigated for prosecution over incompetence and possible corruption and fraud in relation to the ongoing saga between BoU and Crane Bank proprietor Sudhir Ruparelia.
The IGG probe is also focused on Bagyenda’s other properties that are alleged in Bukoto and Kungu area in Kira municipality whose several photographs of residences and residential apartments in leafy suburbs were published online recently.
Another of the prime properties includes a condominium registered as number 0025 on Plot 410-411 Makerere Hill Road Land at Kampala.
Registered in the name of Bagyenda on July 11, 2008, the property measures approximately 99 square metres, according to Diana Nambi, Commissioner for Land Registration.
Nambi also confirmed that Bagyenda owns a residence on Plot 28, Kimera Close, Ntinda. Registry records show she was appointed administrator of her late husband, Cliff Bagyenda’s Estate, where the Ntinda residence is situated, on February 1, 1995.
Bagyenda also is the proud owner of one of the posh condominium blocks situated on Plot 5A Sunderland Avenue Kampala measuring 213 square metres. This property, estimated at over Shs 300m, was registered in her name in 2011.
Uganda Prison Services has decried the prosecutor’s strike, saying it has serious financial implications on their budget.
Compiled by Shafik Himbaza
