By Our Reporter
NATIONAL
The State Minister for Sports has angrily responded to accusations by the embattled President of Uganda Netball Federation that he is being biased in the ongoing probe into misuse of funds in Sports Federations.
Sarah Kityo had earlier tweeted that the Minister who had received a report from the IGG implicating the National Council of Sports boss was taking sides and only pushing for her indictment.
In an earlier tweet, Kityo said, “The IGG report came out and Ogwang has never said anything. The issue I have with him is that he is taking sides in this accountability.”
In his response, Hon. Peter Ogwang trashed Kityo’s allegations saying she should carry her cross.
“With due respect, Hon. Kityo needs to be honest with herself and sort out her own mess. She was an MP and is alive to parliamentary committee investigation procedures. She is also alive to the processes of the Office of the Auditor General and how the IGG works. Asking me to protect you from accounting for public funds or accusing me of taking sides is really laughable,” Ogwang said in a tweet today, 18th May, 2023.
The Minister says that Kityo should not run away from public accountability.
“As public leaders, we cannot run away from public accountability especially when it involves public funds. I am sorry, I will not be a scapegoat nor should I be made to vicariously pay for others’ sins. We have to carry our own cross,” Ogwang says.
He adds that Hon. Kityo was arrested and remanded on a matter unrelated to the government or the netball federation wondering whether he, Ogwang should protect her on that.
“You are being investigated on FY 2021/2022 audit queries long before I was State Minister of Sports. Do you still want me to protect you on things I know nothing about?” Visibly furious Ogwang asks.
Ogwang says it is erroneous for Kityo to blindfold the public to think that she is being witch-hunted because she was part of the meeting that met the Minister of Education and Sports along with the Auditor General, IGG, Attorney General, himself, and others in April at State House, Nakasero.
“You were there when the meeting resolved to conduct a special investigation on Uganda Netball Federation,” Ogwang says.
Hon. Kityo, this has nothing to do with Ogwang. I can only support government arms to strengthen public accountability without fear or favour, but not to protect anyone. Gone are the days when sports federations would not submit accountability reports.
