Two more Ugandan ministers resign over corruption scandal

Feb 16, 2012, 16:29 GMT

Kampala - Two ministers in Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni's cabinet resigned on Thursday, the latest allies of the long-serving ruler to step down amid graft charges.

Three ministers in 2011 were forced by parliament to resign after being implicated in corruption scandals involving the procurement of vehicles for the 2007 Commonwealth summit. A former vice president was also accused in the scandal, but was recently acquitted by a court.

The latest pair to be shown the door were Gender Minister Syda Bbumba and Khiddu Makubuya, who had a ministerial post inside the prime minister's office.

Bbumba had previously served as finance minister while Makubuya had been a justice minister and attorney general. Both were part of cabinet for the last 15 years.

'I wish to take political responsibility (for) the mistakes made and I wish to confirm my resignation. My resignation however does not mean that I am guilty,' Bbumba told parliament, while legislators applauded and stomped their feet.

Makubuya told parliament that he was resigning to 'create political space.'

The two are accused of abuse of office and causing a financial loss to the state, after they authorized an inflated payment of over 60 million dollars in 2010 to businessman Hassan Basajjabalaba, one of the country's wealthiest men.

Museveni, who has been in power since 1986, is facing pressure from international donors to tackle corruption. The foreign governments say they could cut aid if graft continues.