President Yoweri Museveni has directed State Minister for Privatisation and Investment, Ms Evelyn Anite for a special audit of Uganda Telecommunication Ltd (UTL), saying he has “heard of some allegations” pertaining the country’s telecom.

In his July 16 letter to Anite, Museveni said: “This is to direct you to institute an audit in the activities that are going on in UTL. I have heard of some allegations,” part of Museveni’s letter, a copy of which was seen by this publication.

Due to large debts of about sh700b and mismanagement, UTL was put under receivership, after the Libyans, who owned about 69% shares left in 2017.

At that time, government had to liquidate the firm or save its collapse by putting it under provisional administration to allow a search process for competent investors to take it over.

The company was handling most official government telecommunication businesses, especially the official telephone lines.

Subsequently, Twebaze Bemanya, the registrar general of Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), was appointed by the government as an administrator, to among other things revive the company and also look for a new investor who the government can ally with to revive the telecom company.

However, the company did not attract any new investor and Mr Bemanya’s provisional administration was extended twice.

Efforts to get a new investor have been futile, triggering speculation that UTL will be under administration for a long time or be declared insolvent and liquidated.