Uganda moves to tackle extractive industries corruption

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The BBC reports:

Uganda's parliament has voted to suspend all new deals in the oil sector following claims that government ministers took multi-million dollar bribes.

MP Gerald Karuhanga said in parliament on Monday that UK-based Tullow Oil paid bribes to influence decisions.

Tullow said it rejected the "outrageous and wholly defamatory" allegations.

The vote is a big blow to President Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power since 1986, analysts say.

The BBC's Joshua Mmali in the capital, Kampala, says it means the government will not be able to sign new oil deals until a petroleum law is enacted.

During a heated parliamentary debate on Monday, Mr Karuhanga tabled documents alleging that Tullow Oil bribed Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi, Foreign Minister Sam Kutesa and former Energy Minister Hilary Onek.

This is great news! Corruption of this sort has to be tackled: those involved have to be named and oil revenues have to be made accountable, most especially through country-by-country reporting.

Uganda has taken a step in the right direction.

 


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