Muhakanizi defies Museveni, Anite on UTL, stops audit

By Francis Otucu

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development Keith Muhakanizi has directed the Acting Internal Auditor General to halt the audit on Uganda Telecom Limited (UTL) arguing that the audit would be subjudice since the matter is before court.

“I have also discussed this matter with Hon. Matia Kasaija and he has directed that we should allow the court process to take its course and subsequently conduct the audit following this due process,” Muhakanizi’s letter dated August 2, 2019 reads in part.

This barely a month when President Yoweri Museveni directed for an audit at limping UTL.

On July 16, 2019, President Museveni wrote to junior minister, Evalyn Anite directing her to constitute a team to carry out the audit.

It is then that Anite wrote to the Ag. Internal Auditor General directing an internal audit of UTL activities.

“Evaluate the state of affairs within a period of one month from the date of receipt of this letter. Please ensure the internal audit is comprehensice enough to confirm or clear the allegations by the president,” Anite said in her letter.

This was contrary to Attorney General’s  advised.

Attorney General William Byaruhanga  had on July 1, 2019 advised that there cannot be an audit of the administrator’s activities in Uganda Telecom Limited (UTL) until when the administration process is over.

Byaruhanga said the administrator Bemanya Twebaze is only bound to make reports on the progress of administration to the creditors of the company and furnish copies to court, the official receiver and the registrar of companies.

However, the current situation (Muhakanizi’s directive) sides clearly with Attorney General’s guidance.

“This is to advise that the audit of UTL shall conducted as guided by Court. The Ag. Internal Auditor General is hereby instructed to halt the audit exercise to ensure compliance with the laws of Uganda,” the letter reads.