Officials used 665million shillings to clear land, build toilet in Akii Bua stadium scandal

Jamila Mulindwa

Members of the parliament Committee on Commissions on State Authorities and Enterprises (COSASE) were today left shocked after they were informed that 665million was used to clear the land, construct access roads and a toilet.

Lira Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Mark Tivu and engineer Hudson Omoko made the revelation while appearing before COSASE to explain how the money disbursed to construct the John Akii Bua memorial stadium was used.

Tivu insisted that the money was used to clear the land, construct access roads and a toilet.

Tivu and Omoka, however, failed to explain to COSASE why they had started preliminary works yet there was no approved architectural plan for the stadium to be constructed in memory of Uganda's Olympic games 1972 gold medallist.

Tivu instead informed COSASE that they had also compensated some people who were growing crops on the land designated for the stadium. Tivu said 276 million shillings had been used for this purpose.

The Lira CAO said the compensation order was a directive from the then Ministry of Education and Sports minister Jessica Alupo.

The committee was further informed that 1 billion shillings had been earmarked for the stadium construction. The money was to be disbursed over three years. COSASE is investigating why the first batch released was misused.

The embattled officers were handed over to CID for further questioning.