KAMPALA, August 16, 2023 — Legislators on Parliament’s Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises [COSASE] on Tuesday handed over Kampala lawyer Patrick Kiconco Kataabazi to the Parliament Police Unit to record a statement over allegations of embezzlement of Shs 39 billion meant to clear arrears owed to tea farmers in Kabale District.
The development followed Kiconco’s failure to appear before COSASE last Thursday to respond to claims that his law firm, Pathway Advocates, had secured the money from the National Agricultural Advisory Services [NAADS] to clear the farmers’ arrears.
The money came under scrutiny last week as COSASE examined queries raised in the Auditor General’s report indicating that NAADS had spent Shs 7 billion without a budget in the 2021/2022 financial year.
Kiconco had earlier told the Committee that Pathway Advocates had cleared the farmers’ arrears and that both the petitioners and the farmers were appreciative of the services provided by his firm.
However, the explanation did not satisfy COSASE, which referred the lawyer to police for further investigations.
https://thecooperator.news/mps-summon-kampala-lawyer-over-shs-39bln-tea-farmers-compensation/
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