Prime
Minister named in South Sudan compensation wrangles
State Minister for Planning, David Bahati. PHOTO BY DOMINIC BUKENYA
What you need to know:
- Recently, government agreed to pay the Ugandan traders Shs360 billion for the goods and services offered to the South Sudan government before the country degenerated into chaos in December 2013.
- Several other traders, including Ms Rose Nakafuma, a transporter of goods to South Sudan, narrated her frustrations in pushing for compensation from government.
The State Minister for Planning, David Bahati has been implicated in the wrangles surrounding the compensation of Ugandan traders working in South Sudan.
Recently, government agreed to pay the Ugandan traders Shs360 billion for the goods and services offered to the South Sudan government before the country degenerated into chaos in December 2013.
However, some of the traders accuse Bahati of using his position to lobby for the compensation of certain companies and individuals.
Patrick Ntege Walusimbi, the chairperson Uganda Traders Association of South Sudan (UTASS) cites ten grain companies, which are set to benefit from the compensation yet they were not on the original list of beneficiaries.
Mr Walusimbi told the Tourism and Trade Committee of parliament on Wednesday that Bahati was among those listed as individuals for compensation during the first verification exercise and might use his position to receive compensation before other companies.
However, Mr Bahati denied the claims in a brief telephone interview with this reporter; saying he doesn't own any company that conducts business in South Sudan.
He tasked the traders to prove their claims.
"Let them prove these claims and they should present documents to that effect. What they want to do is make the whole negotiation process fail. We are in this process to help them and we shall not stop," Mr Bahati said.
Some of the companies listed for compensation are Aponye (U) Limited; Swift Commodities establishment; K.K Transporters; Ropani International; Kibungo Enterprises and Rubya Investments Ltd.
Several other traders, including Ms Rose Nakafuma, a transporter of goods to South Sudan, narrated her frustrations in pushing for compensation from government.
Mr Geoffrey Macho, the Busia Municipality MP demanded that Mr Bahati appears before the committee to explain himself over the allegations.
Committee vice chairperson, Mr Alex Ruhunda said Bahati will be summoned to respond to the claims.
Mr Bahati said he is ready to defend himself.
