Crowe welcomes assurance that Ugandan aid money will be repaid

Sinn Féin’s Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Trade and Diaspora, Seán Crowe TD, has welcomed assurances from the Ugandan government that €4 million in Irish Aid money that was misappropriated will be paid back in full.

Two senior Ugandan government officials are on remand facing prosecution over the misappropriation and 17 other government officials are suspended without pay pending an investigation.

Deputy Crowe said:

“I welcome the Ugandan government’s commitment that it will refund all the money in full and expect that to happen as soon as possible.

“They have taken swift action and have set-up a legal investigation into how this development and life saving money was misappropriated. I expect the full force of the law be used to against anyone found guilty of misusing Irish Aid money.

“The Irish Aid money was donated to improve education and health systems in Uganda’s poorest regions and the misuse of these funds is a very serious offence, which puts the lives of impoverished Ugandans at risk.

“I hope that a full and through investigation is completed soon and that it will lead to a strengthening of anti-corruption systems within Uganda.

“Accountability and transparency is the key to making aid effective, and Irish Aid must continue to strive to be the most accountable donor in the world, while also helping its partner countries to tackle corruption.

“I will continue to monitor the investigations into the case and I expect the Irish Government to give more details into the case when Irish Aid officials hand over a report of their investigations to the Tánaiste in the coming weeks.”