Scandal after scandal - fired from NSSF as Deputy MD Over Corruption, Ssali's Stay at the ministry of Trade at stake over irregularities.

Ministry of trade industries and cooperative Permanent secretary, Geraldine Sali's Stay at the ministry at stake over Irregularities.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: 

It should be noted that in 2017, the embattled PS was serving at National Social Security Fund (NSSF) as the deputy managing director but was fired by the Board. 

The letter which was issued by the NSSF board, revealed that  Ssali's performance was wanting and most of the reasons were connected to corruption and irregularities, which forced them to renew her contract which 

 had ended. 

All board members agreed that Geraldine Ssali who was by the 43 years should immediately exit the Fund. 

Her performance over the last 3 years at the fund was full of corruption according to the information which was issued by the board.

During the renewal of contracts in 2017, it was only Ssali who existed. The contract for the top three NSSF managers was extended from three to five years. 

How Ssali Sketched to work at the Ministry of Trade even with a bad record.

On 23rd August  2021, the embattled Ssali was appointed permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Trade Industry and Cooperatives, though inside sources revealed that her appointment was not by merit. 

In just two years at the ministry, Ssali is being investigated by several government agencies and parliament committees over irregularities and corruption. 

Our sources have told us the embattled Ssali is being investigated on by IGG and Statehouse Anti-Corruption Unit.

At the same time, the Parliamentary Chairperson of the Committee on Trade, Industry, and Tourism, Hon. Mwine Mpaka, confirmed the development expressing concern over the misuse of government funds by PS Ssali.

WHAT HAS THE MPAKA COMMITTEE DISCOVERED?

One of the issues being investigated by the Mpaka committee is the ministry’s decision to use supplementary funds amounting to Shs 5 billion originally meant for renting new offices at Kingdom Kampala Building, for the rehabilitation of their existing offices at Farmers House on Parliamentary Avenue.

It was also revealed that the ministry spent an exorbitant amount of Shs400 million on transporting files from Kampala to Entebbe during the rehabilitation process, which has raised eyebrows among committee members, though this was clarified by the PS.

The ministry's PS Ssali also purchased laptops worth Shs162 million for staff members to work from home and procured five used vehicles at a cost of Shs600 million each.

During the committee meeting held on Monday, 03 July 2023, Hon. Mwine Mpaka disclosed that the ministry had committed the government to a multi-year expenditure of Shs 6 billion without obtaining authorization from Parliament, which he said is a violation of the Public Finance Management Act.

The meeting also revealed that the rehabilitation contract was awarded through direct procurement, bypassing necessary due diligence procedures.

Mpaka highlighted discrepancies in the cost of the renovation project where the initial estimate from the Ministry of Works was Shs3.1 billion, but this was later inflated to Shs6.2 billion, suggesting potential misconduct in fund allocation.

“The person who entered the Bills of Quantities (BOQs) into the system claims that he was also removed from the system and transferred. The procurement officer claims that he was also transferred,” Mpaka said.
Initially, the committee had requested for the appearance of Geraldine Ssali.

However, she informed the committee that she had already submitted all relevant documents and had stated everything she needed to say.

Nevertheless, after interacting with the former Head of Procurement Officer, Alfred Lapyem, and Evarist Ahimbisibwe, the former Principal Administrative Secretary, the committee decided to invite the Permanent Secretary since the two officials had been logged out of the system and transferred.

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Hon. David Kalwanga raised concerns about the cost of transporting files to Entebbe, questioning why it amounted to Shs400 million when a truck full of sand costs only Shs2 million from Masaka to Kampala.
Mpaka stated that they would request the Speaker to summon Ssali, and if she refuses to appear, criminal summons will be issued.

The committee also plans to engage with Tom Acwera, the retired former Procurement Officer, officials from the Ministry of Works, and owners of the bond where the vehicles were procured.

It should be noted that yesterday 1st August 2023, Three of her colleagues at the ministry were arrested over Shs 357m fuel card Forgery.

Story by: Kanalo D at parliament