Published on 22/07/2024
The Managing Director of Uganda Printing and Publishing Corporation (UPPC), Sudi Nangoli, sidestepped MPs’ accusations that Veridos GmbH, a German firm in the Uganda Security Printing Company (USPC) invested a mere Shs1 in their joint venture with the government. Opting for a more formal approach, Nangoli requested to address the claims in a written statement.
This issue arose when Mpindi Bumali, the Representative for Persons with Disabilities – PWD asked UPPC officials to clarify reports suggesting that despite the Government providing the majority of the investment in the joint venture, it holds only 51% of the shares, while the German firm’s contribution remains unclear and rumored to be as little as Shs1.
The exchange between the Committee and UPPC officials proceeded as follows:
Mpindi “I have heard information that the co-partner in the joint venture only contributed Shs1 to acquire this (UGX 11 billion land). I want it on record whether this is true or not.”
Sudi Nangoli: “We will provide this information in writing with clarification.”
Medard Sseggona, the Busiro East Constituency MP and PAC Chairperson: “Were you a signatory to the joint venture?”
Sudi Nangoli: “My predecessors were. I was not a signatory to the joint venture; I found it in existence and the business running.”
Medard Sseggona: “Do you know how much the co-partner invested in the business?”
Sudi Nangoli: “I request we provide this in writing.”
Iki Iki County MP Robert Kasolo: “I have listened to this team. The basics, even one simple thing about partnering, which I believe even the support staff in your company knows, are the shares. The Government of Uganda has 51% shares, and the Committee is asking, what was the contribution of the other party? You say you don’t know, so how did they acquire 49% shares without a contribution?”
Sseggona: “The question is, you contributed land valued at UGX11Bn. How much did the other party bring in? It is so ordered that you provide us with evidence of your co-partner’s contribution.”
During a meeting on 17th July 2024 at Parliament, Rebecca Nyakairu, Public and Corporate Affairs Manager at UPPC, informed MPs of plans to establish a printing school and museum to utilize some of the Corporation’s idle properties.
“UPPC has some properties that were planned to be rented out. However, due to their condition, we didn’t receive any revenue. Moving forward, we plan to establish a printing school and museum, which will generate revenue as directed towards those rentals,” said Nyakairu.
This announcement followed MPs’ concerns over the Corporation’s failure to collect Shs44M in rental fees for 2022/23. While MPs welcomed the initiative to repurpose the properties, some questioned why the Corporation had budgeted to collect that amount, knowing the structures were in a dilapidated state.
