By Andrew Irumba
KAMPALA: A serious corruption scandal has hit the Indian Community in Uganda with some members threatening to boycott the anticipated upcoming Visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi this July 2018.
Modi is slated to visit Uganda on 24 July this Year accompanied by a huge business delegation.
At the heart of the crisis is the Indian High Commissioner to Uganda Ravi Shankar who is being accused of conniving with Former Rubaga North MP cum NRM party’s Deputy Treasurer Singh Pamindha Katongole of swindling Billions of money raised by the Indian community in Uganda towards the organizing of the highly billed event.
The envoy is also accused of causing cliques in the Indian Association of Uganda that has a membership of more than twenty thousand (20,000) Indians in Uganda and has existed since 1922.
Close Sources told this reporter that Ravi Shankar, the Commissioner is silently dealing with Singh Katongole, Pradeep Karia a director of Property Services to deny some Indians opposed to his extortionist tendencies an opportunity to interface with some of the Multi-billionaires who will accompany Modi on his second historic visit to Uganda.
Modi is expected to hold bilateral talks with president Museveni and also open the convention Center in Entebbe.
“Mr.Irumba, I’m telling you, Mr. Ravi Shankar and Singh Katongole are working secretly with Pradeep by playing politics with other Indians, this will leave Indian Association torn apart into pieces yet we are known for Unity. This Association has been here in unity since 1922, why should Katongole and team bring their politics here? (https://www.sellerlabs.com/) ” an insider on condition of anonymity asked.
Another sources at the Association last night confirmed that what is at the heart of the bitter row is the millions of money raised through fundraising which is not well accounted for so far.
Indians are also accusing them of pocketing business deals with Pradeep Karia and his Partner in business Silu Virani.
It’s not the first time for Pradeep to be in such scandals, he was recently sighted in high corruption cases and land grabbing wrangles together with Toshik Patel and the embattled Minister of Lands Hon.Betty Amongi for grabbing Indian Properties and Land in Uganda.
PM Narendra was last in Uganda in November 2017.
