A group of lobbyists has intensified efforts to influence President Museveni to rescind his earlier directive to Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) and other government agencies not to give any contract to Dott Services.
In a letter dated April 21, President Museveni said he had “received several credible reports with information relating to fraudulent dealings by Dott Services that are not acceptable.”
The president further stated that an entity that wants to be shielded from being investigated should not expect to participate in government projects.
“I am therefore directing government not to enter into any new contracts with Dott Services Ltd or their directors until all allegations levelled against them have been settled,” he ordered.
A report by an inquiry headed by Catherine Bamugemereire implicated Dott Services in acts of criminality, recommending further investigations.
Dott services, however, challenged the commission’s recommendations in court where the portion of the report that relates to them was suppressed.
Sources told ChimpReports on Thursday that “government officials, politicians, businessmen and all friends of Dott Services are begging Museveni to retract his earlier statement and withdraw the letter.”
It’s understood President Museveni recently met Attorney General William Byaruhanga over the matter.
Byaruhanga reportedly told Museveni to rescind the letter over unknown reasons.
Before taking over as Attorney General, Byaruhanga served as a legal representative of Dott Services.
Speaking to this website on the sidelines of the East Africa Oil Pipeline signing ceremony at Kampala Serena Hotel, Byaruhanga did not deny or confirm whether Museveni would rescind his letter.
“As the Attorney General, I have no comment,” he observed.
Sources said Byaruhanga could be drafting the document that could see the head of state revoke his own executive order hardly two months after its issuance.
But other knowledgeable sources said Museveni recently told Dott’s lobbyists during a cabinet meeting that, “Forget about Dott. Leave that woman to do her work” – in reference to UNRA boss, Allen Kagina.
Dott Services has recently come under scrutiny over shoddy works on several roads especially in Eastern Uganda.
But the construction company says it was not being treated fairly.
Contacted to comment on the unfolding developments, UNRA Public Relations Manager Allan Sempebwa referred us to a brief statement posted on the authority’s social media handles.
“UNRA has not received a rescinding letter,” one of the posts reads.
“We are implementing the Executive Order as issued April 21st 2017 to government agencies and accounting officers,” it added.
An Executive order is a Executive instrument sanctioned under Article 99 that offers direction on executive authority.