Forum for Democratic Change has warned investors, Ms. Enrica Pinetti and Dr Sudhir Rupaleria on dealing with government to loot the country’s taxpayer’s money.
The party stand was communicated by Hon Ssemujju Nganda who was addressing a press conference today at party headquarters in Najjanankumbi.
“While as a party, we welcome foreign investors into our country, the FDC warns those particular investors who are colluding with Mr. Museveni and his government to fleece our country, Said Ssemujju.
He added that; “Of particular interest to the FDC and to the country is Ms. Enrica Pinetti, an Italian who has been given hefty contracts directly or on orders of Mr. Museveni.
“This investor was given a contract in 2018 to construct a super specialized hospital at Lubowa on Entebbe Road in 48 months which she will in return sell to Uganda.
“Lubowa the site of the hospital is public land measuring 32 acres. It was given to Pinetti for free.
“In addition, government guaranteed $350 million (Shs 1.2 trillion) which Pinetti was supposed to borrow to finance the construction of the hospital. Government also undertook to make annual payments to Pinetti as part payment for the hospital.
“Last year, we paid Shs340 billion to Pinetti and government has included Shs319 billion in next year’s budget which we will pay to Pinetti. This means, at less than a quarter of work done, we are paying her more than half of the total project value.
“This money is budgeted for under Treasury Operations Vote 130, under Ministry of Finance which is Uganda’s debt management fund.
“Mind you, the country is running a Shs16trillion debt fund to pay for interest which is about Shs7 trillion. The remainder is for paying principle.
“Pinetti is now part of the reason, Finance is asking for Shs16 trillion to manage the debt. This is robbery by Mr. Museveni’s government.
“And as Pinetti continues to smile her way to the bank, government has not budgeted for Shs24.1 billion to rehabilitate and construct facilities at regional referral hospitals such as Masaka, Mbarara, Jinja, Iganga, Soroti, Mbale and Gulu. There is no money (Shs8billion) in the budget being considered by Parliament to buy medical equipment for regional referral hospitals such as CT scan, digital X-ray, HD vehicle, new oxygen plants but there is money for Pinetti.
“The same woman has been given a contract to monopolize our coffee and contracts to construct six roads.
“People coming into Uganda please know, these contracts, will not be honoured once the country get rid of Museveni which is soon.
“At the moment the population is at gun point and contracts signed when the population is at gunpoint won’t be honoured.
“This serves to warn local investors who are partaking in the looting of our country. One such investor is Sudhir Rupaleria.
“Sudhir fraudulently acquired more than 10 acres which used to house Shimoni demonstration school and Shimoni PTC. He constructed there a 12-floor building and is charging government about Shs15 billion per year.
“Parliament alone which occupies six floors is paying Shs8billion and Shs1billion for parking. Ridiculous.
“That you pay for space and parking separately. That building also houses Ministry of East African Affairs, Equal Opportunities Commission and other government entities. Almost 90 percent of the tenants are government institutions.
“Sudhir must be aware that all this money and Shimoni land will be recovered once the dictator is felled down.”