KAMPALA— Ugandas’ Security Minister, Maj. Gen. Jim Muhwezi, has for the first time clarified on the deal between Ugandan government and M/S Joint Stock Global Systems, a Russian firm to supply and install tracking devices on cars and motorcycles in a bid to fight crime.
However, days after the 10-year-deal was sealed, it emerged in the media that back home, the company was facing bankruptcy proceedings and that the same company has not managed a project of this magnitude anywhere in the world.
The news led to conviction and crucifixion of Maj. Gen. Muhwezi.
“Barely a couple of days into office, Mr. Jim Muhwezi has already struck a very ‘fat’ deal with a bankrupt Russian company to install digital trackers on vehicles. The company has never installed such trackers anywhere in the world before. Uganda will be their 1st experiment!” @SonOfTheLand01 tweeted.
Earlier in the week, the Attorney General, Kiryowa Kiwanuka, told Uganda Radio Network that his office was involved in signing the deal with the Russian company, adding that there is nothing to worry about.
“Yes, the contract was brought to my office, we approved it and we believe there is no risk, Uganda is not exposed to anything at all. The contract was approved by my office taking into consideration all the laws of this country and we are certain that we don’t have any order of bankruptcy issued against the company, AG Kiryowa Kiwanuka told URN.
According to KK (as his peers refer to him), the government of Uganda stands no risk of any loss on this (vehicle tracking devices contract with Russian company), whatsoever.
To clarify this even further, Maj. Gen. Muhwezi on Wednesday tweeted: “The Ministry of Security is aware of allegations regarding the financial solvency of the contractor in the recently signed Global Security Contract. As was earlier clarified by the Attorney General, this project has long been in the pipeline and its details agreed upon prior to my appointment as Minister of Security last month.”
He assured the public that the terms of the contract provides the government with clear rights and protection should the alleged circumstances materialize. In the final stages of the deal’s conclusion, the matter made rounds in the public with views on whether or not cars and motorcycles should be tracked.
The other issue that came up in the debate was who meets the cost of the device installation and tracking.
But Maj. Gen. Muhwezi was clear: “As you know, registration of the vehicle is not free of charge, even a driving permit is not free of charge. Anybody who owns an automobile will meet that charge.”