[Ugnet] More controversy over Aids global fund

[Matek Opoko]

Where the US Admin GLOBAL FUNDS ends up!!

More controversy over Aids global fund

SOLOMON MUYITA & KELVIN NSANGI

KAMPALA The controversy surrounding the reported diversion of HIV/Aids funds to political activities, including the third term (kisanja) campaign, has taken a new twist with a government official accusing a leading Aids activist of failing to account for millions of shillings from the Aids Global Fund. Mr Fox Odoi, a legal assistant to the President, said on Kfm’s Straight To The Point talk show yesterday that a leading Aids activist, Maj. Rubaramira Ruranga, had misused some Aids monies, including Shs53 million he got from the Global Fund. Ruranga heads the National Guidance and Empowerment Network of People Living with HIV/Aids. “Ruranga cannot teach government of transparency and accountability, when he himself has failed to account for Shs53 million he took from the global fund to help people with Aids,” he said. Ruranga had said on Friday that the government was planning to finance its political programmes with funds from the Global Fund. “With the political transition, the government is looking for money to sponsor its political activities,” he said. “With bad governance you should expect this.” Accountability But Odoi said Ruranga had no business criticising the government, having failed to account for money he took from the Global Fund. He said Ruranga had received Shs53 million as part of a Shs148 million contract he has with the Global Fund. “We have his contract documents and we shall publish them in the press. We also have information about the money he has got from the Uganda Aids Commission and a huge pick-up truck he drives and now uses to mobilize for the (Forum for Democratic Change) FDC,” Odoi said. Kampala advocate Eriasi Lukwago, who appeared on the talk show with Odoi, said that the counter accusation was an admission that there was a problem with the management of the Fund. Petition HIV/Aids activists last week petitioned Parliament over the management of the Aids money. They said that an official in government alerted them of an advanced plot by government to transfer the billions of shillings from the Ministry of Health to the Uganda Aids Commission, which is under the Office of the President. Ruranga, who phoned in, said he had attended a meeting at Kabira International at Bukoto, a city suburb, where the issue was being discussed. He said there was no doubt the money could easily be diverted to political activities. “The issue of Aids is more of a health issue which should remain under the Health Ministry. It is no political issue to be put under the Office of the President,” he said. On the claims by Odoi, Ruranga, accepted having received Shs53 million, but denied failing to account for it. “Fox Odoi is misinformed and is behind the news. This project is still ongoing until July, and you cannot account before the end of a project,” he said. “This is money for raising billboards and carrying out concerts in schools about HIV/Aids,” he said.

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