THE TÁNAISTE IS “absolutely disgusted” and incensed by the allegations that funds from Ireland have been misappropriated by the office of the Prime Minister of Uganda.
That is according to Brendan Rogers, head of Irish Aid, who told Newstalk this morning that this is why Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore has “acted so quickly and decisively” on the issue.
Yesterday, the Tánaiste said that he had received a report from the Auditor General of Uganda, who had been carrying out a special investigation into the handling of aid funds by the Ugandan Prime Minister’s office.
A statement said that the auditor’s report found “significant financial mismanagement in relation to the Peace Recovery and Development Programme for Northern Uganda”. The funds had come from Ireland, Norway, Sweden and Denmark.
Rogers said that the Tánaiste wants all of that money back. “Otherwise there won’t be any aid programme, it’s as simple as that,” said Rogers.
He said that Irish Aid are tracking the situation very carefully with the auditor general and the investigations are continuing. He said that “the trust has broke down at the moment and that’s why our aid programme has been suspended”.
Rogers said he can reassure people that there are “very robust systems in place” and that they have zero tolerance for corruption and for fraud.
The Irish ambassador in Kampala is leading and coordinating the response with the other donors, and will be meeting the Prime Minister next week.
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