UTL Woes: UCC Boss Mutabazi in Bribery Scandal

The Executive Director of the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), Eng. Godfrey Mutabazi has been accused of bribing a section of Members of Parliament to suppress a case of conflict of interest in the Uganda Telecom (UTL) woes against him.

The said case was raised in a minority report by a one William Nzoughu, the Busongola North legislator who demanded for an independent investigation of Mutabazi by the IGG over why he and the commission refused to switch off UTL when it ran bankrupt.

UTL, which is currently under government receivership declared bankruptcy in May after facing several liquidation threats.

The company which was jointly owned by government of Uganda (31%) and a Libyan Communications company (69%) had accumulated debts and losses that prompted the majority shareholder to cease further funding and investment.

A parliamentary investigation into the telecom’s woes was conducted and a main report adopted although Hon. Nzoughu also came up with a minority report.

In the minority report, the legislator indicates that Mutabazi was a major supplier to the telecom and for his personal interests, refused to switch it off despite its insolvency.

This website understands that UTL was being supplied packaging polythene bags, Christmas gift hampers and mineral water by Semliki Diary and Beverages, where Mutabazi purportedly owns 30% shares.

When he presented it in parliament, Nzoughu’s report was suffocated by a section of MPs who he alleged had been bribed by the UCC boss.

“These guys have been given money and at an appointed time we shall give the list,” said Nzoughu amid chants and noise by the pro-Mutabazi section.

He revealed that Mutabazi tried to bribe him when he moved the minority report but he refused.

“When I turned down his proposal, I was told that they would move and mobilize members against my report,” he said.

Don Atungisa

Don Atungisa is a passionate writer, content curator and a digital marketing practitioner. Twitter??@don_atngz . Let's connect and have a chat.