When Two Toilets Cost Half a Billion: Captivating Stories Of 2019

As we edge closer to the end of the year, today we bring you some of the most captivating stories that shaped this year.

Judiciary

In July this year, Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) was in the midst of a probe into circumstances under which 134 billion shillings came to be diverted under unknown circumstances in the 2017/18 financial year. Part of this money had been diverted to cater for the purchase of 10 brand new vehicles for newly appointed judges.

In the midst of the probe, it emerged that close to 500 million shillings had been spent on to flash toilets, one belonging to Chief Justice Bart Katureebe and another one at Entebbe Chief Magistrate’s (CM) court.

Amid the heat, Chief Justice Bart Katureebe came out to explain that it was not only a toilet constructed for his 15 guards, but also a shower and a sink at his government home.

“This is not my house,” Katureebe precisely stated.

However, this explanation was not adequate as President Yoweri Museveni swung his axe on Judiciary Permanent Secretary (PS) Expedito Kagole Kivumbi sending him on forced leave on July 26 2019. He was replaced by Pius Bigirimana from the ministry of gender, labor and social development.

Even then, Okin Ojara the vice chairperson of PAC maintains that Kivumbi is not off the hook yet. Okin says this matter shall be handled intensely next year.

“So we are supposed to follow up on the issue of the latrines, go to the field and have a look at documentation and come up with the exact amount of money that was spent,” he says.

Francis Zaake

After surviving the age limit fracas in 2017 and Arua municipality by elections in April 2018, in November this year the Mityana municipality legislator Francis Zzaake Butebi found himself on the wrong side of the law.

This followed an alteration with Makerere University Vice Chancellor Prof Barnabas Nawangwe on Wednesday, 6 November 2019, that almost culminated into a fist fight, shortly after an education committee hearing.

This prompted speaker Rebecca Kadaga to order Hon Ongalo Obote, the chairperson of the rules, privileges and discipline committee to look into the matter.

While appearing before the rules committee, Zzaake instead counter accused Prof. Nawangwe of threatening him.

It remains to be seen what sort of punishment shall be meted out and whether the MP will humbly accept it bearing in mind that in August this year, Gen Elly Tumwiine lashed out at the committee for perpetrating lies.

Reshuffle

For most of this year, there has been anxious expectation that President Museveni would reshuffle cabinet.

When it finally came on December 4 2019, the shuffle had all the hallmarks of a shocker.

First, some of the leaders that expected to be rewarded for their fight in the Age Limit Constitutional Amendment were missing on the list, such as like Kassanda county MP Simeo Nsubuga.

In the same vein prominent figures such as State Minister for information and communications technology Idah Nantaba, Hajj Abdul Nadduli, Irene Muloni, Monica Ntege Azuba and others had been dropped.

Azuba was one of the brains behind the revival of Uganda Airlines

On the other hand, novices such as former Police spokeswoman Judith Nabakooba was appointed to the ICT Ministry, replacing vibrant Frank Tumwebaze who was pushed to the ministry of gender, labor and social development.

Eddy Kenzo and Rema

For years, this singing couple had been the envy of many because they had the money and the fame. However, in September this year, Rema, mother to Kenzo’s five-year daughter decided to dump him in favor of a flashy physician, Hamza Ssebunya.

Her move seemingly caught Kenzo off guard. In rebuttal, he composed ‘Bibaawo’ loosely translated for “things happen “and poured out his heart but nothing materialized. In the end, he appealed to government for help, and indeed President Yoweri Museveni responded by inviting him to State House in late October and as the saying goes ‘the rest is history’.

5Renewed Corruption fight

When President Museveni announced on November 19 2019, that he would be leading an anti-corruption walk under the theme ‘“A CORRUPTION-FREE UGANDA; IT STARTS WITH ME” it drew mixed reactions. As expected early this month, Museveni led a multitude of people in a march that started at Constitutional Square and climaxed at the Kololo ceremonial grounds.

That said, Ugandans are waiting to see if any stringent measures shall be taken against those caught siphoning tax payers money.