By Andrew Irumba
Kampala: Kiira Motors Corporation, a Ugandan State Enterprise and the Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation Elioda Tumwesigye are on spot for having duped President Yoweri Museveni, a whole commander-in-chief (CiC) of the armed forces, in a multibilion manufacturing deal for the Kayoola Bus.
In April 2018, Cabinet approved a seed fund of US Dollars 40 million to Kiira Motor Corporation in a phased payment of over 4 years starting in the 2018/2019 financial year, to commercialize the project of manufacturing vehicles in Uganda.
To utilize the government’s fund, the Corporation said it had manufactured 3 vehicles that included the Kiira EV, Kayoola Solar Bus and Kiira EVS.
However, according to the petition seen by TheSpy Uganda, copied to the Inspector General of Government (IGG), State House Anti Corruption Unit, and Chairman Public Accounts Committee of Parliament, the whistleblower reveals that the Kayora Bus was not manufactured or even assembled in Uganda as Kiira Corporation previously purported,but instead it was purchased from China and shipped to Kampala.
“It is well known that save for the Kiira EV, no bus has been manufactured or even assembled in Uganda, but the same have been purchased from China and shipped to Kampala and paraded before both His Excellency The President and Ugandans to hoodwink them in a bid to justify the funding received from government while the same continues to be siphoned by its management” the petition reads in part.
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“RE: INVESTIGATION INTO M/S KIRA MOTOR CORPORATION AND ITS ACTIVITIES
Reference is made to the above where M/s Kiira Motor Corporation, a state owned enterprise, established to manufacture electric powered automobiles in Uganda with the government of Uganda owning 96% shareholding and Makerere University owning 4%.
The said Kiira Motor Corporation has according to its website manufactured 3 vehicles to wit Kiira EV, Kayoola Solar Bus and Kiira EVS.
In April 2018, the cabinet approved a seed fund of US Dollars 40 million to be made in phased payments over 4 years starting in 2018/2019 financial year to commercialize his project.
It is well known that save for the Kiira EV, no bus has been manufactured or even assembled in-Uganda but the same have been purchased from China and shipped to Kampala and paraded before both His Excellency The President and Ugandans to hoodwink them in a bid to justify the funding received from government while the same continues to be siphoned by its management.
The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Dr. Elioda Tumwesigye was authorized to establish and oversee the project governance and management structures of this Project has also been lying to the President and Ugandans that Kiira Motors manufactures buses in Uganda.
Kiira Motor Corporation was hijacked by a criminal gang who are using it to steal taxpayers money under the nose of the cabinet minister. This is therefore to move your office to;
1. Investigate the management and operations of Kiira Motors Corporation to establish if they have embezzled government funds.
2. Investigate Hon. Min. Elioda Tumwesigye and cause him to take responsibility for lying to His Excellence the President and Ugandans.
I appreciate your efforts to fight corruption. Yours faithfully concerned citizens”
