The parliamentary trade and industry committee has tasked Uganda development cooperation to account for 42 billion shillings which government has injected into the construction of a fruit factory in Teso region.
The committee chaired by Mbarara city MP Mwine Mpaka was interfacing with the officials of EDC lead by managing director Patrick Buringi.
Government had started the construction of this factory to provide market to the farmers who were growing mangos and citrus in Teso sub region in 2019. Howver the committee discovered irregularities that the factory instead defrauded farmers by buying a bag at 20,000.The committee discovered the pumps which were supposed to be given to farmers but instead were sold.
The committee has also discovered that the over two billion shillings was utilised in the construction of 2 km road which was not accounted. Other irregularities include 300 million shillings which was given to the contractors without the approval of the solister general
Kyegwa Mp Bright Amooti wondered how the funds have been utilised citing the contribution from Korea which is not accounted.
Nwoya east MP Geoffrey Okello says the committee is interested in the funds because the funds were meant to assist farmers which were affected by the low market.
The committee vice chairperson Margret Lwamwaka has also singled out other government donations which included pumps which were instead sold to farmers at 200,000 shillings which was not proper.
Other MPS include Gomba woman Mp Silvia Nayebale who demanded for this accountability.
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