Members of Parliament on the public accounts committee have grilled the former government valuer Jonah Augus Bwiragura over how  the inter ministerial committee on which he was a member arrived at compensation of the city tycoon  Hassan Bassajjabalaba 142.6 billion shillings when his lease offer  for managing three markets and redeveloping city square was canceled.

The mps on the committee were   stunned by the revelations made by the former Chief Government valuer regarding the huge sums of money Government paid out to Basajjabalaba in compensation for the city markets.

Appearing before the committee chaired by Terego county Mp Kasiano Wadri, Bwiragura says the initial amount of money he had approved for payment to Basajjabalaba after he lost business in the markets was 22billion shillings, which was raised to 142.6bn by the Inter ministerial committee, a figure that the businessman agreed with.

Bwiragura however says he was shocked when he learnt that the businessman went round him to the Attorney General Kiddu Makubuya who he deceived and endorsed a payment by writing to the President, who equally endorsed it.

Committee Member and Mbale Municipality MP Jack Wamai Wamanga says they have had to summon the former valuer because the money paid out to Basajjabalaba is way too high.

He also notes that Bwiragura resigned after he discovered that the government was to pay out huge sums of money for the markets of Owino and Kisekka contrary to what had been approved.

Wamai also notes that this meant that the other payments were made without the recommendation of the Government chief valuer, which contravened the law.

The committee is now set to summon the former attorney general Kiddu Makubuya to explain the circumstances under which the compensation rose to such an amount.

Ultimate Media