The ongoing verbal clash between National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi and Nyendo-Mukungwe MP Mathias Mpuuga takes a new turn.
Just hours after the former Leader of the Opposition declined to resign over the controversial 500 million Service Award he received from the Parliamentary Commission, NUP leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu retaliated, insisting that Mpuuga was bribed.
“I couldn’t believe that my Deputy President would involve himself in such a serious matter and remain silent about it, especially towards me,” said Kyagulanyi. He added, “The morally upright action for him would be to apologize to the nation and step down from the Parliamentary Commission.”
Kyagulanyi further stated, “The Leader of the Opposition, like all MPs, receives a salary and allowances. Additionally, the LOP is provided with extra allowances and facilities by Parliament to carry out their duties. So, what justifies an additional Service Award for an office already adequately facilitated?”
In response, Mpuuga denied allegations of bribery in a statement released on Friday. He clarified that every decision by the Parliamentary Commission to confer or reward anyone under its jurisdiction undergoes scrutiny by the relevant parliamentary committee for legality, feasibility, sustainability, and relevance. As a current member of the Parliamentary Commission, Mpuuga maintained that he acted within the bounds of the law and saw no reason to resign.
Mpuuga argued that if such payments were deemed corrupt, all current and former MPs would be required to refund gratuities or honoraria received, as none were granted without the approval of the Parliamentary Commission.
However, public scrutiny persists, with concerns raised about the legality of the money Mpuuga received and the lack of similar awards for former Leaders of the Opposition. These questions have also been raised within the National Unity Platform party.
Kyagulanyi reiterated his stance, insisting that Mpuuga’s statement failed to address the core issue of the 500 million Shillings, and instead attempted to indirectly justify what he deemed an immoral and corrupt act.
Taking to his social media platform, Kyagulanyi outlined ten reasons why he believed Mpuuga was bribed. He questioned what Mpuuga offered in exchange for the hefty sum drawn from public funds.
Kyagulanyi also expressed disappointment that the NUP party was not consulted on the matter, despite nominating Mpuuga as its Leader of the Opposition. He revealed that when questioned, Mpuuga claimed it was a personal financial matter.
“We expected to be consulted on such a significant matter, considering we nominated Hon. Mpuuga for the position of Leader of the Opposition. Instead, I learned about it through social media and initially dismissed it as false propaganda,” Kyagulanyi lamented. “It’s hard to believe that my Deputy President would engage in such a serious matter without informing the Party or me. When asked about it, he brushed it off as a personal finance issue. Really?”
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