Among cash trail traced back to cleaners, security guards

Embattled former speaker of parliament Anita Among was reportedly using cleaners, security guards and fleet drivers at parliament to siphon and launder funds, and beat Financial Intelligence Authority (FIA) scrutiny.

According to sources close to investigations probing the alleged corruption, money laundering and illicit enrichment in parliament, after analysing the financial transactions of various parliamentary department staff accounts in transportation, finance, protocol and communication, investigators made a startling discovery.

The probe into Among’s alleged illicit wealth has now expanded to several parliamentary staff and bank officials who used to shield her. Investigators are also reportedly mapping out alleged financial networks, procurement deals and coordination among politically connected figures in parliament and government ministries.

“She has been good to a lot of staff at parliament,” the source went on. “She would use your account to move around Shs 500 million, then tell you to withdraw and bring her about Shs 450 million and keep the rest for yourself, saying it was for you to better your life and you would be protected. A lot of people would kill for that chance. Some have used those opportunities to buy land and build houses.”

Several of Among’s properties, including six luxury cars, have been seized from her plush homes in Nakasero, Kigo, Ntinda and Bukedea district, while her bank accounts have also been frozen.

The inquiry has since expanded to other government agencies, where several officials have received summons or are expected to be called in for questioning. Several parliamentary department heads who had previously been dodging detectives have reportedly begun quietly reporting to Kibuuli CID headquarters.

“These individuals operate multiple accounts tied to Anita Among’s cash movements. They could receive large sums with the knowledge of Financial Intelligence Authority officials, and the bank cleverly shielded them,” a source said. “The money would be withdrawn in stages, but every trail led back to Among both as the source and the destination.”

There are also reports indicating that parliamentary commissioners in the 11th parliament, including Mathias Mpuuga, Solomon Silwany, Prossy Akampurira, Esther Afoyochan are expected to record statements regarding the sharing of Shs 1.7 billion “service award” with Among.

Mpuuga received Shs 500 million, Akampurira Shs 400 million, Silwany Shs 400 million and Afoyochan Shs 400 million in 2022. The commissioners would award themselves almost similar amounts in 2024.

Since the probe began, Anita Among has not made any public appearances. She has missed meetings of the NRM’s Central Executive Committee and caucus despite being a member and was also absent from the Kololo speaker voting function.

Her absence has fuelled speculation that she may be under house arrest at her Nakasero residence, which remains under guard by the Special Forces Command (SFC).

The post Among cash trail traced back to cleaners, security guards appeared first on The Observer.

المصدر: The Observer (Uganda)