A section of MPs have petitioned the Chinese bank-EXIM [Export and Import] which intends to finance the constriction of the standard gauge railway bringing to its attention what they called facts that should be considered before such finances are disbursed.

The legislators who include Theodore Ssekikubo, Wilfred Nuwagaba, Bernabas Tinkasimire, Paul Mwiru and Abdu Katuntu, claim that the contract between government and the contractor CHEC [a Chinese company] didn’t follow proper procurement procedures in addition to claiming that the figures involved are high compared to other quotations by neighboring countries.

Addressing a press conference at parliament, the members said that whereas in Kenya which is going to constrict a longer distance is spending USD3.5bn dollars, in Uganda which has a shorter distance the figure has been put at USD11.2bn [shs32trillion].

They add that whereas court halted this process of signing the contract with CHEC and parliament also pronounced itself on this matter, the ministry is proceeding with intentions to sign the contract tomorrow and therefore wanted to bring this matter to the notice of the bank.

Sekikubo says the much as they support the project, it has not been done through the right procedures; a matter they said is not being done in the interest of Ugandans which may not make them responsible for the terms and conditions therein the financing agreement.