The Parliamentary Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) is this morning meeting officials from the Ministry of Energy and mineral development over the infamous 6bn presidential handshake.
The group led by Minister Irene Muloni is facing the tough and no nonsense committee chaired by Bugweri county MP Abdu Katuntu.
The committee has in the past 2 weeks been grilling officials from the Uganda revenue authority led by Doris Akol the commissioner general, over the same matter.
Earnest Rubondo current Executive Director Petroleum Authority and former Commissioner Petroleum and Exploration says they relied on URA for the tax aspect and he contributed on Heritage's compliance with policies.
Rubondo adds that he supplied information to the Government team established by Attorney General and acted as a factual witness in London and Uganda.
His sole role was to ensure Heritage does not leave Uganda, and if it did, there was no monopoly, as his job is to attract investors in the industry and monitoring compliance.
Rubondo received a whooping 123 Million shillings for appearing in court as a witness and for getting records as old as ten years from the ministry archives.
“I supplied information to the Government team established by Attorney General and acted as a factual witness in London & Uganda. I had to dig up information 10 years old & cross examined by the Heritage lawyers both in London and Uganda,” Rubondo revealed.
He added; “I got net UGX 123m of the 6bn Handshake and my net monthly salary was UGX1.6m.”
This left the committee chairman Katuntu in wonder as he commented; “This is 70times of your salary and in 5 years. Was their anytime when you were offered any inducement or bribe?”
In response, Rubondo said no. “No, I don't recall. I felt I was dealing with dangerous people (Heritage) in London. Therefore my life was in danger.”
This prompted Katuntu to ask, “If there was no one who attempted to bribe u. How could you imagine there was threat on your life?”
Rubondo was also part of the team that was earlier on rewarded by President Museveni for discovering oil.