The deputy inspector general of government (IGG), Dr Patricia Achan Okiria revealed that Muleya has indeed been arrested.
Former Uganda Airlines boss arrested
The former Uganda Airlines Chief Executive Officer Cornwell Muleya has been arrested by the Inspectorate of Government after failing to respond to a court summons.
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"Muleya has been arrested and charged with the offense of failure to attend before the Inspectorate of Government when so ordered," reads the statement by Okiria. Muleya is accused of disobeying orders of the IG contrary to Section 35 of the Inspectorate of Government Act, 2002” she said.
Adding that, he “willfully and without reasonable justification or excuse refused to comply with the orders of the Inspectorate dated the 23rd day of May 2022 requiring his attendance to give evidence and produce documents to the Inspectorate of Government, regarding mismanagement of public funds, procurement, and recruitment of staff at the Uganda Airlines under reference HQT/CO/561/2021.”
Okiria said Muleya summoned to give information helpful to investigations into several acts of mismanagement of public funds by public officers at the Uganda National Airlines Company (UNAC) between May and June this year. UNAC, the company trading as Uganda Airlines, is owned by the government.
Muleya has been held at Kampala Central police station after recording a statement at the headquarters of the IGG’s office.
Muleya’s arrest comes on the heels of the Wakiso Labour office referring the Shs 3.5 billion dispute between Uganda Airlines and Muleya for unlawful termination to the Industrial court citing a substantial question of law that arose from its proceedings.
Muleya’s complaint fell under reference number LD.07.04.22 of Employment Act 2006 at the Wakiso Labour office on April 4, 2022, demanding Shs 3,545,186,318 in salary arrears and terminal benefits.
This complaint includes salary arrears of Shs 126 million for the month of February 2022, Shs 1 billion as payment for general damages for reputation damages, and Shs 1.2 billion as payment for damages for loss of expectation interest in employment among other claims.
Muleya’s issue arose out of government terminating his contract as the Chief Executive Officer of Uganda Airlines in mid-February this year. This was after April 21st, 2021, when Transport and Works minister, Edward Katumba Wamala, sent him and 12 other top officials on forced leave.
Muleya served as CEO from 2019 to May last year.
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