MPs vow to block Bagyenda's appointment to FIA board

Members of Parliament under their umbrella body, African Network for Parliamentarians against Corruption yesterday vowed to block the appointment of Justine Bagyenda, the former BoU executive director in charge of Supervision, to the board of the Finance Intelligence Authority (FIA).

Bagyenda did not appear before Parliament's Appointments committee as had been scheduled as pressure mounted on her not to take up the position.

The MPs argued that given the allegations against Bagyenda including the fact that she had failed to explain how she accumulated her astronomical wealth, she was not fit to be on the body.

This year, it was reported that she had Shs19billion on three different accounts, which sparked a public debate on how she accumulated such amount of money within six years.

Led by Manjiya MP John Baptist Nambeshe, the MPs vowed to fight her appointment.

"Even if it means demonstrating, we shall demonstrate against her appointment. As Parliament, we have to show that we are committed towards fighting graft," Nambeshe said.

They said they cannot approve someone who is under investigations by the Inspector General of Government.

The fire spitting MPs also accused officials from the ministry of Finance of playing a big role in the  appointment of Bagyenda to FIA.

Parliament however vetted Leo Kibirango as the chairperson of the Finance intelligence Authority board together with Patrick Ocailap and Patricia Mutesi as the other members.

The director of CID, Grace Akullo's appointment to the board was stayed.