Kabarebe defends establishment of Army Shop

DefenCe Minister, Gen. James Kabarebe, on Tuesday, allayed lawmakers’ persistent fears that a planned Armed Forces Shop (AFOS) project may be abused.The minister was responding to queries after tabling the draft law establishing the AFOS and determining its mission, organisation and functioning. MPs wondered how proper controls would be set up to deter the possibility of fraud.According to the bill, the government expects the project to facilitate beneficiaries – mostly active military and police personnel – easily purchase duty free goods, in order to improve their welfare.MPs Emmanuel Mudidi, Theoneste Safari Begumisa and Pélagie Mukantaganzwa were fearful of the possibility of fraud that could cost the country.Mudidi said: “I support this project and understand its rationale as is it done elsewhere. Truly, the army and police should be subsidised, because of their special responsibilities, but I want the minister to explain how leakages will be addressed so that other people will not enjoy the facilities provided to the army and police.”Gen. Kabarebe explained that while preparing the AFOS project, the possibility of ‘leakages’ was given enough attention and a proofing mechanism duly considered. “We gave it a long and thorough thought. One measure considered, is the use of information system software which we made arrangements for, to curb such fraudulent tendencies if they arise. The use of membership cards, quota systems by the family of a soldier, since it is known, and even the amount of products it can buy for a certain period, is predetermined.“Moreover, under normal circumstances, issues of corruption and fraud in our institutions are efficiently controlled,” he said.The minister explained that beneficiaries in foreign missions cannot access the facilities but their families or immediate dependants can duly benefit. According to the bill, beneficiaries will be any military or police personnel or any other person determined by a Prime Minister’s order, following a request from the minister in charge of AFOS.They include any AFOS member, his or her spouse and his or her children under 18 years of age or those unmarried, still at school and below 25 years of age.The AFOS may have branches elsewhere in the country if deemed necessary.A Minister shall determine the list of goods to be exempted from tax. Gen. Kabarebe further told MPs that a list of 21 items exempted from taxes include kitchenware, scholastic materials for school going children, among others.AFOS will draw its capital from the beneficiary ministries’ quota of the national budget.The minister told lawmakers that the external audit shall be conducted by the Office of the Auditor General, annually, and whenever deemed necessary.

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Kabarebe defends establishment of Army Shop