The recent assignment  to oversee work progress on the 2 controversial Karuma and Isimba power dams by the Parliamentary Committee on Natural Resources has been brought to an abrupt halt due to a pending  court case filed by a Kampala lawyer, Henry Kyalimpa through Nyanzi, Kiboneka & Mbabazi advocates.

Kyalimpa wants high court orders to the effect that an independent engineering, financial and value for money audit be commissioned to determine the quality of works on the two power dam projects.

He also seeks to implore the court to issue consequential orders intended to correct the defects or to discontinue the two projects.

Alex Byarugaba (L) listens to the Kalungu LC5 boss Emmanuel Musoke (R) together with his female legislator.

The committee that was chaired by Alex Byarugaba, said on Friday that work was hampered when the minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Irene Muloni and the permanent secretary at the Ministry, Kabagambe  Kaliisa  appeared before the committee and told the MPs that the matter they wanted to probe is already in court being pursued by the Attorney General and that it would be prejudicial for it  to be handled by Parliament.

However, MPs who included; Hon. Alex Byarugaba, Bukoto East, Hon.Florence Namayanja and Kiboga East MP, Dr. Keefa Kiwanuka said there were concerned that their  role of  overseeing work progress at the 2 dams  is being frustrated.

The committee resolved to write to the Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga,  to make a ruling whether the matter is prejudicial for them to interface with the Ministry of Energy officials regarding Isimba and Karuma power dams over in consistence in the two multibillion  projects .

The case in the High Court is against the Attorney-General of Uganda, Sinohydro Corporation Ltd, CWE, EXIM Bank and Uganda Electricity Generation Company Ltd (UEGCL).