Accusations of legal wrongdoing, ongoing interference, and destruction of critical assets have been leveled against the Minister of Science and Technology.
The Tropical Institute of Development Innovations (TRIDI) stated that it is compelled to address Minister of Science and Technology Dr Monica Musenero’s persistent and deliberate interference with the sericulture project, which has made significant progress and earned international recognition.
TRIDI, in a statement released on February 21, said Minister Musenero’s recent unauthorized visit to Kween and subsequent statements represent a disturbing pattern of sabotage, undermining the project’s advancement in direct violation of legal directives, court orders, and parliamentary approval.
“We strongly reject her misleading statements and actions that have placed the success of this project, with its immense potential, at grave risk,” Emma Walimbwa, the Institute’s director of partnerships and capacity building said.
Prior to Minister Musenero’s involvement, the Auditor General reported four years of clean audits with no issues for the sericulture project, he said. He also stated that a thorough review and clearance by the Inspectorate of Government had been completed.
Three, Walimbwa said Parliamentary approval for funding based on demonstrated progress was made; international benchmark visits from other countries seeking to replicate Uganda’s success in silk production also happened.
“Successful establishment of 34 operational stations and the creation of extensive mulberry gardens for sustainable silk production were done,” he stated.
Government funding and TRIDI’s total investment
While the Government of Uganda has released a total of shs40 billion to support the project, TRIDI’s total investment in the sericulture project exceeds shs85 billion. This includes the development of critical infrastructure, procurement of equipment, and the establishment of silkworm rearing facilities.
However, the Institute says Minister Musenero’s actions have severely affected this significant investment by stalling progress and undermining resources needed for successful implementation.
“The withholding of funds and delays has put the project’s growth at risk and are damaging Uganda’s silk industry’s potential. The total number of Ugandans employed are 1700 whose livelihood is grossly affected by the Minister’s actions.”
The Minister’s direct violation of legal directives
The Minister’s actions reflect a deliberate pattern of obstruction, including:
- Unlawful Withholding of Funds: The Minister withheld approved project funding for FY 2022/23, violating both the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and the Public Finance Management Act. This despite four separate legal directives from the Attorney General’s Chambers, all instructing the Minister to release the funds. Additionally, she disregarded repeated guidance from the Inspectorate of Government.
- Attempts to Take Over the Project: The Minister attempted an unauthorized takeover of the Sericulture Project, threatening to confiscate TRIDI’s land and assets. This action is in direct violation of an active High Court injunction prohibiting interference with the project.
- Shifting Narratives and False Claims: Initially, the Minister questioned the viability of the project, despite its international success. She later made false claims of financial mismanagement, contradicting findings from the Auditor General. More recently, she has made unfounded allegations regarding community exclusion, misrepresenting the planned phase-wise implementation of the project.
- Community Unrest and Misinformation: The Minister’s previous visit to Kween was marked by misinformation, resulting in vandalism of project property. This culminated in arson attacks on critical project assets, including mulberry gardens and production facilities.
Besides the aforementioned achievements, the sericulture project has made substantial strides in terms of infrastructure development and innovation. The project has successfully established partnerships with local farmers, with over 2,230 acres of mulberry farms now operating across 22 districts. This expansion has been pivotal in supplying planting materials for 50 districts, and is providing an essential foundation for the commercial production and research aspects of the project.
The installation of silk reeling machinery, as well as silkworm egg production equipment, according to Walimbwa, marks significant progress in the industrialization of Uganda’s silk sector. Specifically, 870 acres of land have been procured for the establishment of a silk factory, and an additional 2,200 acres have been committed to procurement.
The project has also made a 30% payment towards the manufacture of three silk reeling machines, which are now ready for UNBS verification and shipment. Two complete lines for post-cocoon processing have been delivered and installed in Sheema and Kween.
TRIDI says over 200 Ugandans have received specialized training in various aspects of the sericulture value chain, while 149 full-time workers and over 1,600 casual workers have been employed. The project’s target was to employ 10,000 workers, but the suspension of shs43.17 billion in financial year 2022/2023 has hindered further job creation.
Additionally, graduate trainees have been recruited to provide technical support at various project sites.
“Despite these impressive accomplishments, Minister Musenero’s actions have significantly obstructed the project’s progress. Her remarks and interference appear to be deliberately undermining the successful trajectory of the sericulture project. This pattern of economic sabotage, using her official position to hinder development, has resulted in delayed implementation and stunted growth. Rumors of her involvement in starting a parallel enterprise utilizing government resources raise serious questions about accountability and the ethical use of her position.
“What is even more concerning is that Minister Musenero’s impunity suggests a belief that she is above the rule of law. Her actions and statements, which are detrimental to the Sericulture Project and its associated benefits to the people of Uganda, have triggered grave concerns about her abuse of power.
“The connection between her remarks and the recent arson attacks on mulberry farms, which destroyed key elements of the TRIDI sericulture project, must be thoroughly investigated. These attacks, which directly impacted the livelihood of farmers and the integrity of the project, appear to be linked to her interference in the sector. It is imperative that police, as well as other relevant investigative bodies, examine the connection between her statements and the arsonists responsible for the destruction. Her conduct demonstrates a blatant disregard for the law, and an immediate investigation into her role is essential to prevent further sabotage of this crucial national project.”
The Institute call upon the relevant authorities to investigate these allegations thoroughly to ensure that the sericulture project’s full potential is realized for the benefit of Uganda’s economy, employment opportunities, and technological advancement. It is critical that such actions, which threaten the public interest, are addressed swiftly.
Arson attacks and destruction of mulberry gardens
The situation escalated following the Minister’s recent visit and statements. TRIDI has become the target of arson attacks, with mulberry gardens worth over shs20 billion being destroyed by fire. These gardens were a key resource for the silk industry, carefully cultivated to support long-term growth.
The deliberate destruction of these gardens represents a massive financial loss and a direct attempt to sabotage the project’s success. Additionally, attempts were made to set fire to the transformer and factory facilities, which could have resulted in even greater destruction of project infrastructure.
These attacks, they say, have caused significant damage and are believed to be linked to the Minister’s actions, which have fostered unrest and created an atmosphere of hostility around the project. The damage does not only threaten the financial viability of the project, but also risks the safety of project personnel and assets.
The sericulture industry value chain cycle: A structured and planned approach
The sericulture project follows a carefully designed sericulture industry value chain cycle (SIVCC), which outlines specific stages of development to ensure sustainable and scalable silk production:
- Mulberry Cultivation (stage 1)
- Construction of Granage (Silkworm Egg Production House) (stage 2)
- Construction of Silk Worm Rearing Houses (stage 3)
- Silkworm Rearing (stage 4)
- Construction of Reeling Infrastructure (stage 5)
- Installation of Reeling Equipment & Technician Training (stage 6)
- Twisting & Dyeing Operations (stage 7)
- Silk Product Commercialization (stage 8)
- Support Services for the Silk Value Chain (stage 9)
Walimbua reported the successful, on-schedule completion of mulberry cultivation in 34 Ugandan locations. These serve as vital resources: providing planting materials and training for farmers, plus centralizing post-cocoon marketing and processing. These strategically located stations are critical to the future scaling of the silk industry in Uganda.
Legal protection for the sericulture project
TRIDI says the legal team has taken necessary steps to protect the project’s integrity. The Sericulture Project operates under the protection of an active High Court injunction, which prohibits interference with its operations. The court order, along with multiple Attorney General directives and Presidential directives, ensures the project’s continued progress and protection against unlawful interference.
Commitment to project success despite challenges
Despite these challenges, TRIDI remains steadfast in its commitment to the Sericulture Project’s success. We continue to focus on:
- Upholding the integrity of the project’s management.
- Protecting project assets and infrastructure from illegal interference.
- Ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.
- Engaging with communities within the current constraints.
- Pursuing legal remedies to safeguard the future of Uganda’s silk industry.
We call on relevant authorities to:
- Enforce court orders and release the withheld funding.
- Hold the Minister accountable for her interference with the project.
- Protect private-public investment and the future of the silk industry.
“TRIDI remains committed to transparent and professional engagement with all legitimate stakeholders, respecting the legal process, and ensuring the success of this vital project for Uganda’s economy.”
On Sunday, Minister Musenero could not be reached for comment.
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