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The committee aims to shed light on allegations that Obua, who currently serves as the Government Chief Whip, received triple payment for his expenses at the tournament held in Windhoek, Namibia.
The Parliament Accounts Committee (PAC) has resolved to summon Hamson Obua, the former State Minister for Sports, to answer questions concerning bills attributed to him during the 2021 Africa Pent Series and Africa Netball Championship.
The committee aims to shed light on allegations that Obua, who currently serves as the Government Chief Whip, received triple payment for his expenses at the tournament held in Windhoek, Namibia.
The six-nation tournament, featuring Namibia, Kenya, Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, and eventual champions Uganda, took place from November 1-5, 2021.
However, recent allegations have surfaced, suggesting that Obua received multiple payments despite participants being fully catered for by the host country.
The allegations were brought to light by UNF president Sarah Babirye Kityo, during a recent interview with NBS Sport where she claimed that NCS secretary general Dr. Bernard ogwel and Obua left hotel bills that were charged and paid by UNF.
Asuman Basalirwa, Deputy Chairperson of the PAC, expressed the committee's determination to uncover the truth behind the financial dispute.
"We are going to invite Obua, the former Minister for Sports, to our next meeting," Basalirwa stated.
"There is a very serious allegation of double payment. So, the former Minister will also appear here to throw more light."
The Auditor General's report on the NCS for the 2021/22 period sheds further light on the matter.
According to the report, the invitation letter from the Namibia Netball Association categorically stated that they would cover the accommodation costs for Uganda's traveling contingent.
However, conflicting information emerged when the UNF presented receipts totalling UGX 139 million for accommodation expenses at Safari Hotels in Windhoek, dated November 21, 2021.
"This raises several red flags and doubts about the whole transaction," highlighted Auditor General John Muwanga, underscoring the discrepancies in the financial records.
Sarah Babirye Kityo, the embattled President of the Uganda Netball Federation, who recently served time in Luzira Prison, confirmed that Obua received payments.
She clarified that the entire trip cost UGX 186 million, taking into account expenses such as visa fees, COVID-19 testing, and isolation.
"NCS, as they will also confirm, gave us UGX 186 million, not the UGX 425m," Babirye explained.
"So if they gave us UGX 186 million for the Pent Series, it was Uganda to cater for the isolation days."
Babirye, however, claimed to be unaware of the specifics contained in the invitation letters, suggesting that other federation officials were responsible for managing the arrangements.
“In the document that I submitted, there are some of the emails between the General Secretary of UNF Amina Monday and the organizers of the Pent series. I attached them and submitted them,” Babirye intimated.
There are also claims presented to the committee from UNF that they paid a UGX 30 million kick back to Dr Ogwel from the same funds that were released for the tournaments.
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