The Inspector General of Government (IGG), Justice Irene Mulyagonja, yesterday indicated that the arrangement to pay sh6b to selected government officials who were involved in oil cases was illegal and warned that “conflict of interest has over-run government.”

Mulyagonja told the Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) that the Inspectorate has not opened an investigation into the presidential golden handshake payment because no complaint has been filed.

With no official investigation into the matter and hearing from the officials involved, Mulyagonja indicated that Section 2 and 3 of the IGG Act precludes her from tabling a comprehensive position on the initiation and payment of sh6b to some 42 selected government officials.

But Mulyagonja explained that “there is not an iota of the law in (the) justification” of the sh6b payment, saying that it is “scary” how conflict of interest has permeated government.

Mulyagonja also rejected Secretary to Cabinet John Mitala’s interpretation of Article 98 and 99, explaining that the President is not above the law as had been argued by Mitala as he defended President Museveni’s role in the payment.