Rédaction Africa Links 24 with The Observer
Published on 2024-03-16 05:11:45
National Unity Platform (NUP) made a decision to remove Nyendo-Mukungwe MP Mathias Mpuuga as a commissioner of parliament and replace him with Francis Zaake. The move came shortly after the Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, refused to allow a debate on claims of corruption and abuse of office at parliament. Among dismissed the allegations as rumors spread by what she called ‘bum-shafters,’ a term she used to refer to homosexuals.
The decision to remove Mpuuga from the commission is said to be related to allegations that he accepted a “service award” of Shs 500 million from the parliamentary commission. This award was part of the Shs 1.7 billion that was reportedly irregularly allocated to parliamentary commissioners, including three MPs from the ruling NRM party who each received Shs 400 million.
In response to these allegations, the acting NUP president, Dr. Lina Zedriga Waru, issued a statement announcing the recall of Mpuuga from the commission. The statement highlighted that Mpuuga failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for his actions and did not adequately address the accusations of corruption and abuse of office.
The party’s decision to replace Mpuuga with Francis Zaake was influenced by the fact that Zaake was previously removed from the role of commissioner in 2022 due to alleged indiscipline. Despite a Court of Appeal ruling for Zaake to be reinstated, parliament has filed an appeal that is still pending.
Mpuuga’s appointment as a commissioner was viewed by the public as a demotion after he lost his position as Leader of the Opposition, which he held for two and a half years. The online protest led by Dr. Spire Ssentongo and activists using the hashtag #UgandaParliamentExhibition brought to light documents implicating Mpuuga in personally receiving a cash reward of Shs 500 million.
Following these revelations, NUP president Robert Kyagulanyi encouraged Mpuuga to apologize and step down from the parliament commission. However, Mpuuga refused to do so, claiming that the calls for his resignation were based on spite and deliberate misrepresentation for malicious reasons.
The party’s decision to remove Mpuuga and replace him with Zaake reflects its commitment to transparency and accountability within the parliament. It remains to be seen how the leadership of Anita Among will respond to NUP’s recommendation and whether Zaake will be allowed to resume the position he was previously dismissed from. As the situation unfolds, it is evident that the issue of corruption and abuse of office within the parliament continues to be a matter of public concern and scrutiny.
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