Deputy Chief Justice Steven Kavuma has today issued an interim order “restraining parliament, any person or authority from investigating, questioning or inquiring into” the Shs 6 billion bonus payment to several government officials.
Officials from four government entities solicited a Shs 6 billion reward from President Museveni after their role in $700 million in two separate court cases against oil companies that attempted to avoid paying taxes for transactions involving Uganda’s oil wells.
Justice Kavuma in his order, also stayed “all proceedings of whatever nature, if any, which may be pending before any forum whatsoever “until the main application No.06 of 2017 has been hear and determined.”
The bonus payment now referred to as the presidential handshake have attracted a furious reaction from the civil society, public, politicians across the political divide.
Some of the beneficiaries include Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) commissioner general Doris Akol – Shs 242 million, Uganda National Roads Authority boss Allen Kagina – Shs 242 million, Kampala Capital City Authority boss Jennifer Musisi – Shs 121 million, Finance ministry Permanent Secretary Keith Muhakanizi – Shs 108 million (and his predecessor Chris Kassami – Shs 393 million), former attorney generals Peter Nyombi – Shs 226 million and Fred Ruhindi – Shs 93 million, as well as the solicitor general.
The order comes a day before an anticipated motion on the bonanza in which 42 top government officials shared Shs 6 billion.
Eric Sabiiti, a legal officer with the Electoral Commission says the planned investigation by parliament interferes with executive powers. Sabiiti in his petition narrates how the officials from ministries of Justice, Energy and Finance alongside the Uganda Revenue Authority played a diligent role that earned them the presidential hand shake.
He adds that following a protracted litigation, the technical winning team met with President Museveni on May 17, 2015 led by the then attorney general Peter Nyombi to commend the team’s efforts. It was during the said meeting that President Museveni directed the commissioner general of URA to propose a reward for the team.
He says that after obtaining all the necessary approvals to withdraw the money from the consolidated fund, the commissioner general paid out Shs 3.6 billion to the selected individuals. The balance was withheld as tax and NSSF contributions.
Through his lawyers, Sabiiti says that he believes the above actions and sharp criticisms by the public and MPs is inconsistent with the constitution. Further in his orders, Justice Kavuma ordered the registrar of the court to ensure pretrial steps are taken in good time and fix the hearing of the main petition without delay.