Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Uganda Monitor
Published on 2024-03-01 12:17:38
The former Leader of the Opposition, Mr Mathias Mpuuga, has made it clear that he will not resign from his current position as a Parliamentary commissioner, despite calls from his party, the National Unity Platform (NUP), to do so. He believes that the advice to resign is based on falsehoods and a misunderstanding of the facts. NUP officials had requested Mpuuga to step down amidst allegations of corruption and abuse of office, only three months after his appointment as a parliamentary commissioner.
In response to the allegations, Mpuuga issued a statement on Friday refuting claims that he received a Shs500 million ‘service award’ from Parliament fraudulently. He explained that the money was allocated to him legally by a Commission in his capacity as the Leader of the Opposition, following scrutiny by relevant parliamentary committees. He strongly rejected any insinuations of corruption, describing them as spiteful, double standards, and a deliberate misrepresentation of the truth.
Mpuuga expressed his determination to fulfill his duties as a parliamentary commissioner, dismissing the calls for his resignation as motivated by envy and personal agendas. He highlighted a campaign to tarnish his reputation and pledged to stand firm against such attacks in order to uphold integrity in national and party politics. Despite facing criticism and abuse, Mpuuga remained dedicated to his duty to serve above self.
Addressing the internal dynamics of NUP, Mpuuga acknowledged a lack of transparency in the management of the party and vowed to uphold his principles in the face of opposition from certain factions. He reassured NUP members and other forces for change that he would not be swayed by attempts to distract from the overall goals of the party.
The reaction from Mpuuga came in response to a statement issued by NUP, in which party leaders advised him to step down from his position as a Parliamentary commissioner due to the controversy surrounding the Shs500 million ‘service award’. The party indicated that Mpuuga had apologized for his actions during a meeting attended by top party officials, including the president and his deputies. However, Mpuuga denied attending the meeting and clarified that he had only discussed the matter informally with party colleagues at the party offices.
Furthermore, Mpuuga called for all party members to return any funds they had received as gratuity, emphasizing that if the Shs500 million payment was deemed corrupt, then all current and former MPs should be required to refund similar payments. He highlighted the standard practice of MPs receiving gratuities determined by the parliamentary Commission, implying that singling out his case was unjust.
In conclusion, Mpuuga affirmed his commitment to serving the public and standing against any attempts to tarnish his reputation. He remained steadfast in his belief in transparency and integrity within the party and the national political landscape, rejecting calls for his resignation based on what he viewed as misinterpretations and misinformation.
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