Kampala, Uganda | By Michael Wandati | The National Unity Platform (NUP) has called upon Masaka Municipality MP Mathias Mpuuga to resign from his role as Parliamentary Commissioner in the wake of his acknowledgment of receiving 500 million shillings.
A statement issued by the NUP secretariat on Thursday 29, February 2024 evening revealed that party President Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, held a meeting with senior party leaders in response to corruption allegations involving several NUP officials, including Mathias Mpuuga, the former Leader of the Opposition in Parliament (LoP), and other Commissioners.
The accusations suggested that Mpuuga and other Commissioners were involved in the improper allocation of substantial funds to themselves, disguising them as ‘service awards,’ with Mpuuga reportedly receiving 500 million shillings.
As outlined in the NUP press release, Mpuuga admitted his participation in the allocation of funds during the meeting and expressed his apologies for his actions.
“At the meeting, Rt. Hon. Mpuuga admitted that he indeed took part in this wrongdoing and apologized for the same. In light of this, he was strongly advised that the moral thing to do in the circumstances is to step down from his role as Parliamentary Commissioner with immediate effect,” reads part of the statement.
“The nation will recall that the values of the National Unity Platform are discipline, reliability, inclusiveness, integrity, patriotism, and service. All actions of corruption and abuse of office go contrary to these values,” the statement adds.
Over the last four days, the internet has been buzzing with an online protest spearheaded by Makerere Don, Dr. Spire Ssentongo, and other activists utilizing the hashtag #UgandaParliamentExhibition to bring attention to the misuse of authority and the inadequate management of public affairs within the Parliament.
Also Read: Uganda’s future still not certain 61 years after independence, says Mpuuga
The exhibition has brought forth various allegations against key figures such as the Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, as well as Members of Parliament from the ruling NRM and the opposition, accusing them of fraudulent practices, including lobbying for jobs for their relatives within Parliament and engaging in corrupt activities for personal gain.
In response to the exhibition, Chris Obore, the Director of Communication and Public Affairs, stated on Monday that Parliament has acknowledged the display and is actively reviewing the specific concerns raised.
“Parliament acknowledges concerns raised in the ongoing #UgandaParliamentExhibition on the institution. Though the discussion is laden with distortions, in the spirit of openness, accountability, and transparency, we are duty-bound to study the specifics of all concerns and conclusively address them.” reads a statement Obore posted on X (Former Twitter)
