KAMPALA, UGANDA: Tropical Institute of Development Innovations (TRIDI) has refuted allegations that the institution has a direct influence on the ongoing investigations of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Covid-19 expenditures.
In a story that appeared on an online publication Trumpet News titled “Why is PAC silent on Shs.2bn diverted to TRIDI, a Sericulture project Suspended due to Corruption”, it is alleged that the Executive Director of TRIDI, Dr Clet Wandui Masiga being from the same village with PAC Member and Budadiri West MP Hon. Nathan Nandala Mafabi, explains why the minister for Science, Technology and Innovation is being investigated on COVID 19 funds.
However, responding to the claims labelled as untrue, TRIDI in a press statement dated Tuesday, March 28 denied having a direct hand in the ongoing investigations against the minister, and strongly disassociated itself from the allegations made.
“TRIDI as an independent Institution would like to disassociate itself from the allegations made on Trumpet News Website, Twitter and has no involvement in PAC’s ongoing investigations on the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovations Dr Monica Musenero or any other institution or person.”
Christine Awor, the Institute’s Public Relations Officer explained that “TRIDI has a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Uganda which clearly states the roles and Mandates of the Auditor General on projects funded by the Government of Uganda.”
“It is brought to your understanding that TRIDI has been receiving funding from the government since 2017 and has been submitting all accountabilities to the Office of the Auditor General. Therefore, TRIDI has no business and influence in what the Office of the Auditor General does with the reports. Since TRIDI started receiving funds from the government, each year, the Auditor General audits government funds and it is the office of the Auditor General who knows what to do with Audit reports.”
The Institution further clarifies that its Executive Director Masiga does not come from the same village as Hon Nathan Mafabi as alleged by the website.
“It must be clearly ascertained that Dr Masiga comes from the Bulambuli district while Hon. Mafabi comes from Sironko district despite the fact that these two districts are all located in Bugisu. While the two know each other, the PAC business has nothing to do with TRIDI and its Executive Director MASIGA,” the statement adds.
“TRIDI has since taken a strong stand against having an influence in the decision of Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and has no mandate to influence any investigation ongoing something which was alleged by the same website.”
The statement also explains that Masiga, the ED of TRIDI subscribes to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party while Hon. Mafabi subscribes to FDC, and therefore there is no direct connection between the two persons, due to political differences.
TRIDI is the leading implementer of the Sericulture project in Uganda and envisions increased industrialization and export development through the sustainable adoption of Sericulture technologies and Innovations in Uganda.
However, DailyExpress would not independently verify if the allegations made by Trumpet News on TRIDI’s mismanagement of shs billion were true or not, as the institution did not give a detailed accountability on how the money was received and spent.
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