By Mulengera Reporters
As political season heats up, so too has the misinformation. Following the recent passing of retired Supreme Court Justice Prof. George Kanyeihamba, a resurfaced claim has emerged alleging that Minister of Internal Affairs Gen. Kahinda Otafiire misappropriated funds meant for the late jurist’s medical treatment. But according to Otafiire himself, this narrative is not only misleading, it’s deliberate political propaganda being recycled for cheap electoral gain.
In a candid telephone interview, Otafiire laid bare the full context surrounding the controversy, dating back several years ago.
“It started when Justice Kanyeihamba called then Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda and told him he was unwell. Rugunda contacted me directly since I was serving as Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs at the time,” Otafiire explained.
According to him, arrangements were made through the Ministry of Justice to contribute to the retired Justice’s medical expenses. Otafiire stated that the ministry agreed to extend support, acknowledging Kanyeihamba’s former role as Minister of Justice decades ago.
“Kanyeihamba himself knew the procedures. I told him where to collect the money from the Solicitor General’s office. But he never picked it. Stubbornly, he refused to go and collect what was rightfully processed for him,” Otafiire emphasized.
Importantly, he clarified that as a minister, he was not an accounting officer and had no role in receiving, signing for, or disbursing government funds.
“For the record, I was never an accounting officer. I couldn’t and cannot collect a cheque from the government even if I wanted to,” he said.
Otafiire also debunked another falsehood being circulated that the funds in question were in the form of a cheque.
“Since when did the Government of Uganda stop using cheques? The government uses electronic transfers now. So why are people talking about cheques? That alone tells you this is cooked-up nonsense,” he added.
In a bizarre twist, Otafiire recounted a time when Justice Kanyeihamba sensationally told the press that the minister owed him 1.5 billion shillings.
“One time he went as far as dragging journalists to my office, only to turn around and ask them why they were visiting his friend,” Otafiire said with restrained amusement.
He dismissed any suggestion that the long-standing medical fund saga has anything to do with the current political climate or his campaign activities.
“Can 10 million shillings run an election campaign in Uganda today? Let’s be serious. That money wasn’t even meant for me. It was for his treatment, supposedly to India. But even then, how far can 10 million take you for treatment abroad?”
Otafiire called for an end to opportunistic narratives that manipulate the memory of deceased public figures.
“Justice Kanyeihamba has just died. May his soul rest in peace. But let’s not twist facts to serve political agendas. There are people out there who thrive on lies; this is not just unfortunate; it’s unethical.”
With these clarifications, Otafiire has urged the public to seek truth over sensation and facts over fiction. As he put it bluntly: “If you want to attack me politically, go ahead but don’t drag the name of a deceased man and public institutions into lies.” (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
