KAMPALA – Abdu Katuntu, the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) has vowed to continue with the public inquiry into the affairs of the Central Bank despite President Museveni’s call to have the probe into the closure of the seven defunct Banks by Bank of Uganda held in confidentiality, saying this would lead to speculations in public.
But Mr. Katuntu has on Tuesday, in response to the president maintained the probe is in public interest and will continue.
The COSASE Chairperson explained: “It isn’t that we aren’t aware of potential dangers of the sector if we become reckless but I would like to comfort the President that recklessness isn’t our name in this process.”
Mr. Katuntu said that unlike fears in public, the probe isn’t aimed at hurting the institution but instead, it will make Bank of Uganda better, “We owe it to the public, if we lock ourselves in a room, it leads to speculation and remember at the beginning of this process, there is a lot of speculation.”
While launching the new State House Anti-Corruption Unit at Kololo Independence Grounds on Monday, President Museveni said that although he approves of the decision by Parliament to probe the Central Bank, there is need to have the matters held behind closed doors.
The President said: “I think the procedure is wrong, because this is Bank of Uganda if you want to investigate it, why don’t it quietly not in camera because you can investigate in camera so that what people see is action, not endless arguments. I think the inquiry is good, they should inquire, but they are doing it the wrong way. I haven’t had time to speak to the Speaker.”
