Uganda is investigating allegations that its officials defrauded donors by inflating refugee numbers and diverting food aid, the prime minister’s office said on Tuesday. “The government took them (allegations from UN agencies) seriously and immediately instituted an investigation,” Julius Mucunguzi, spokesman for the prime minister’s office, which overseas refugee affairs, told Reuters. “They want a value for money audit.”As refugee numbers surged since mid-2016, donors responded to urgent appeals for extra aid. The European Union, a major donor, said the allegations had been forwarded to its own anti-fraud office for investigation. Corruption is widespread in Uganda and successful prosecutions are rare, with courts usually targeting low ranking officials.

Source: Egypt Independent February 06, 2018 09:33 UTC