KAMPALA, UGANDA: The Inspectorate of Government (IG) has constituted an investigation into the mess at Posta Uganda Limited following complaints on administrative and financial anomalies, some of which include fraudulent procurement, diversion of staff salary, nepotism, and general mismanagement.
A complaint sent to Ombudsman in April put Posta Uganda Managing Director James Arinaitwe and Director Finance Emmanuel Okurut on the spot for being at the center of the gross rot and causing huge financial loss at the government-owned agency..
Without disclosing details of the investigation, the IG Spokesperson, Ms. Ali Munira yesterday (Friday, Aug 26) confirmed that the top bosses at Posta Uganda are under investigation following a review of the report filed by the Ombudsman.
“Yes, it is true we received a complaint in April this year which has many issues,” Ms Munira told this website.
Accusations
In the complaint file, there are claims that some staff are picked from the payroll and paid full amount in cash because they are closely related to Mr Arinaitwe. The report names Diana Kyarikunda and others as the beneficiaries of this scheme.
Further, it is also reported that Posta Uganda didn’t pay NSSF for the whole of last year despite making monthly deductions on staff salaries and that these deductions ended in the boss’ deep pockets.
Other allegations also pin the Managing Director and his core team to have sold off most assets of Posta Uganda, money diverted to personal ventures, and no accountability made.
This website has also learnt that a decision was taken by Posta Uganda’s top management to procure six vans at $300000 (approx 1.147billion shillings) to extend services of mail delivery to upcountry towns.
Money was released and cars bought. However, one of the vans was recently impounded by the supplier for non-completion of payment.
Mr Arinaitwe is also accused of influence peddling by ordering the Human Resource Manager to recruit a certain category of workers and suffocating the organization’s decision-making.
When contacted to substantiate the allegations, Mr. Arinaitwe told this website that he was aware of the IGG’s investigation. “We shall give them facts,” he said in a WhatsApp conversation to this reporter.
He, however, denied that no service van was impounded. “The vehicles are here at Posta. They were cleared.”
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