By Spy Uganda
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance Keith Muhakanizi, who is also the Secretary to the Treasury, has come into the spotlight for reportedly dishing out over Shs5Bn to journalist Andrew Mwenda, of the Independent Magazine, during this Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.
Word has been going around for the past few days that Muhakanizi allegedly directed journalist Mwenda to pick Shs5Bn in cash from Bank of Uganda.
However, Muhakanizi trashed the allegations, which he described as unfounded rumours from people who seek cheap popularity.
Muhakanizi’s reaction came after Presidential Adviser on Media Joseph Tamale Mirundi, while appearing on NBS TV on Wednesday, April 29, alleged that Mwenda, on the directives of Muhakanizi, recently went to BoU headquarters in Kampala, withdrew Shs5Bn and took it in his vehicle, at a time when Members of Parliament are in trouble for sharing Shs10Bn COVID-19 cash.
Mortar-mouthed Mirundi, who claimed to have video evidence to backup his allegations, wondered how this could happen.
However, Muhakanizi rubbished Mirundi’s allegations in an email exchange with our Spies.
“And you really believe this? This is impossible? How? No one can get money from the Central Bank or anywhere else without clear documentation. Let him produce the evidence to prove his claims,” Muhakanizi retorted, before assuring our Spy that Mirundi’s allegations are just hogwash.
However, it should be noted that although they are both journalists, Mirundi and Mwenda have been at loggerheads for a long time ever since the former was pushed out of the Presidential Press department.
Mirundi fell out with Mwenda after accusing him of allegedly leading a crusade against him, which culminated into his loss of the job in State House as the Presidential Press Secretary.
Ever since the fallout, Mirundi has always attacked Mwenda with his verbal artillery during his weekly TV and radio appearances.
He has often viciously attacked Mwenda, whom he refers to as ‘Ntwe Ya Pussi’ , accusing him of allegedly frustrating him (Mirundi) at State House such that he (Mwenda) could remain as President Yoweri Museveni’s media guru.
