Kampala, Uganda | URN| The Inspectorate of Government [IG] is waiting for National Unity Platform [NUP] president Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine to update the anti-corruption body on his wealth since information circulated that he had got a donation of an armored [bullet-proof] car.
The Leadership Code Act 2002 of Uganda, compels all leaders to periodically declare their wealth, while a gift worth 10 currency points in value or Shs 200,000 is supposed to be declared immediately.
Last week, Mr Kyagulanyi informed his supporters that a group of mainly foreign-based supporters had been raising funds during his presidential bid to acquire for him a bullet-proof car so as to go through the violent campaign period.
“There is another group of comrades who kick-started a fundraising campaign for a bullet-proof vehicle. These comrades informed me of their plan, but I thought it was an uphill task, given how expensive it is. A few weeks ago, these comrades surprised me when they informed me that they had succeeded in raising enough money for the vehicle, and here it is. I can’t thank you enough,” he posted on Facebook, accompanied by a photograph of him leaning against the vehicle with crossed hands.
According to many of his supporters, the Land Cruiser car registered in his name under registration UBJ 667F, is more than Shs 300 million.
An internet search shows that a new Toyota Land-Cruiser vehicle costs from $85,000 (approx. Shs 310m), while an armored one goes for between $395,000 and $450,000 (approx. Shs 1.4 billion to 1.65 billion), depending on the features.
Mr Kyagulanyi also said that even the bullet-proof jacket and the helmet he has been using were bought by his supporters. He said he received several of those and gave them to other supporters who were in the line of danger.
He also said if he hadn’t been wearing the bullet-proof helmet, “the story would have been different” when they were shot at in Masaka.
The director Leadership Code Annet Twine says once a leader gets a donation, the leader is expected to declare it there and then.
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The acting Inspectorate General of Government [IGG] George Bamugemereire says where a leader fails to or refuses to justify that they are entitled to the item in question, it becomes government property.
Mr Bamugemereire says that like any leader, Mr Kyagulanyi will be expected to declare the car whether it was donated or bought by himself.
He says Mr Kyagulanyi is still a leader of a political party registered under the laws and like any leader, he is expected to declare his wealth irrespective of how it was acquired.
