Parliamentary Committee to Conduct Audit of Cooperatives Amid Corruption Allegations
The parliamentary Committee on Trade will be conducting a value-for-money audit of various cooperatives under the Ministry of Trade, amidst corruption allegations. The Speaker of Parliament, Ms Anita Among, clarified that the probe would focus on the governance and administration of these cooperatives, and not the Committee itself, as initial reports had suggested.
Ms Among expressed disappointment with the media’s misinterpretation of her previous communication on the matter. She emphasized that it was the Ministry of Trade that was under investigation, specifically regarding the alleged financial solicitation involving cooperatives. The Speaker highlighted the need for accurate reporting, stating, I’m so disappointed that you [the press] write what you think, not what you hear.
The investigation has raised concerns about possible involvement of legislators in corrupt practices, but no specific names have been mentioned so far. The Speaker had requested all party whips to support the Committee on Trade in undertaking the investigations, and there have been no attempts to privately address the matter.
The committee will conduct its investigation on an undisclosed date and will subsequently report back to Parliament. Meanwhile, the House has already adopted a report from the sectoral committee on Tourism, Trade, and Industry, which investigated the alleged misuse of a supplementary budget for the Financial Year 2021/2022. The committee recommended the dismissal and investigation of Ms Geraldine Ssali, the permanent secretary at the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives, citing breaches of relevant acts.
The allegations of corruption within the cooperatives and the subsequent audit by the parliamentary Committee on Trade highlight the ongoing efforts to ensure transparency and accountability in government entities. As the investigation progresses, it will be important to maintain a balanced view and consider different perspectives to address any potential wrongdoing and restore public trust in these cooperatives.
