Kampala, (UG):- The Speaker of Parliament Rt Hon Anita Annet Among has tasked the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and the Attorney General, to expeditiously table a report detailing the status at ROKO Construction Company amid the Shs 263bn bailout saga.
The development came after the Leader of the Opposition (LoP), Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi demanded from Minister Kasaija an accountability of the billions of taxpayers’ money invested into the company two years ago.
In July 2022, the government acquired preferential shares in Roko Construction Company as part of an equity investment to keep the company afloat.
Ssenyonyi while presenting before parliament on Tuesday, Mr Ssenyonyi told Parliament that he and other members of the shadow cabinet were on October 14 denied a meeting with the executives at ROKO, and locked out of the premises where they had gone to ascertain whether the rationale of the bailout was being achieved.
According to the LoP, whereas the government invested in the company to ensure the completion of construction projects such as Parliamentary Chambers and Uganda Cancer Institute, among others, little progress has been made.
“The government’s stake was to ensure that these projects continue without delay as the collapse of Roko would lead to delay. However, to date, some of the infrastructure projects that were fronted as the reason for the approval of this investment have not been completed,” Ssenyonyi said.
“The government ought to update Parliament on the latest financial standings of this company given that the government approached Parliament with the bail-out request. I think it is prudent that the House is given accountability,” said Ssenyonyi.
The Nakawa West MP also wants the Attorney General, Hon. Kiryowa Kiwanuka, to table the shares agreement between the government and Roko in Parliament. “Government shares are not clear; there is a need to clarify this. It is not known as to whether amendments were made to include government investments and how much government owns in equity and what type of shares,” he said.
The LoP further called for an investigation into governance challenges in the company saying that employees there have severally complained of non-payment. “The government said the aim of the bail-out was aimed at saving jobs. Is the government aware of concerns by employees?” Ssenyonyi asked.
In response to Ssenyonyi’s queries, Speaker Anita Among urged the Minister of Finance and the Attorney General to make a response to the LoP’s report.
“We have our money that is with Roko; we need to know how the money is being used and most importantly, what members are asking. You need to have an interface with Roko and give a report to this House,” said Among.
The Minister of State, Finance, Planning and Economic Development (General Duties), Hon. Henry Musasizi pledged to present the response. “I do commit that we shall bring a report about the issues which the LoP has raised,” Musasizi said.
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