Student union Uganda accused of mismanaging funds
October 12, 2014 (KAMPALA) – The chairman of the South Sudanese students union’s anti-corruption commission has called for the association’s finance minister to be immediately summonsed over the alleged misuse of funds.
Anti-corruption chairman Muorrin Maker Pat has accused committee members who travelled to the capital, Juba, to lobby for the funds, which were dispersed by the president’s office, of fraud.
It’s alleged the union’s finance minister Victoria Nyandur, information secretary Beny John Nyinypiu and general-secretary Agok Peter Garang embezzled the funds intended for the union.
Pat told Sudan Tribune the group claimed to have used the $25,000 to bribe unidentified officials in the office of president to release the funds.
However, Pat disputes the claims, saying the president had already publicly announced the funds would be donated to the students union in Kampala and that the bribery allegations don’t stand up.
“How can you bribe your donor to donate funds? Can you bribe your father to pay your school fees?” said Pat on Sunday.
Pat also claims he was threatened by the group to cease talking about the lost funds or he would face arrest.
“It is my duty as anti-corruption chairman to investigate for those who may be concerned about the missing fund,” he said.
The further accused the union leadership of failing to follow proper procedure or account for union funds.
He revealed that about $10,000 donated by the national security Director’s office and another $5,000 received from South Sudan’s vice-president’s office gone unrecorded, accusing the union leadership of directly pocketing the funds.
According to Pat, some 32 universities, excluding colleges, had South Sudanese students attending, who are liable to pay 5,000 Uganda shillings in subscription fees to the union.
However, he said the amount received from member contributions from had also not been publicly revealed or properly accounted for, saying it remains unclear what amount is being spent on providing student services, how many students were benefiting or how the funds are being spent to benefit students.
He told Sudan Tribune that 10,000 South Sudanese pounds (SSP) and $1,500 accrued in expenses by the committee while carrying out lobbying for funding in Juba has also never been in properly accounted for.
Pat says his office would continue to draw attention to the mismanagement of students union funds despite the objections of union executives.
He said all student union funds should have been directed to the union account rather than being pocketed by individuals.
(ST)