Uganda: Human Rights Body Explains Sh323m Funds - AllAfrica.com

Alfred WasikeKampala

THE Republic Of Uganda Person Rights Committee have said the money it paid for the treatment of Father Toilet Virgin Mary Waliggo was approved by President Yoweri Museveni because he was critically ill.

Waliggo was suffering from tummy cancer.

Presenting the supplementary demands to the NRM caucus on Monday, finance minister, Dr. Ezra Suruma, said the Government had spent sh323m on settling Waliggo's medical bills.

"The commissioner (Waliggo) underwent the first operation in St. Francis Hospital Nsambya in March 2006. The docs realised that the state of affairs was complicated and they could not manage it," the committee secretary, Gordon Mwesigye, said yesterday.

"Nsambya referred him to a infirmary in South Africa. He tried to utilize his nest egg and wage but both could not provide for the treatment. Margaret Ssekagya, the commission's chairperson, wrote to the President requesting for authorities intervention."

"Before the money was secured, Waliggo had to wing to Johannesburg to Morningside Clinic. He was in a critical state," Mwesigye said.

"President Museveni asked the Ministry of Finance to let go of the finances for his treatment. Most of it paid for his chemotherapy to last for six months. He underwent two surgeries in South Africa and he was admitted to the intensive attention unit," Mwesigye added.

Waliggo returned place after Christmastide last year.

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"He is about to travel back for more than treatment. All the money have not been used up yet. We have got so far given him sh200m and sh123m is still on an business relationship in Depository Financial Institution of Uganda. May be he will not necessitate it.

We only let go of the money when the infirmary directs original written documents for accountability," Mwesigye said.

When The New Vision contacted Waliggo at his Nsambya home, he said: "I experience better. I have got just had luncheon and going to rest."