LOP Ssenyonyi Criticizes MP Nanyondo Over Claims of Being Tricked into Signing Censure Motion

Joel Ssenyonyi, the Leader of Opposition, has responded to allegations made by Veronica Nanyondo (Bukomansimbi DWR), who claimed she was deceived into signing a censure motion under the pretense of signing an attendance list for another Opposition meeting.

Ssenyonyi expressed disbelief at Nanyondo’s claims, suggesting her actions are intended to derail the censure motion aimed at recalling four Commissioners over the Shs1.7Bn Service Award.

Ssenyonyi questioned Nanyondo’s explanation, highlighting inconsistencies in her story. “When I first saw that letter, I was disturbed and thought it was fake because she didn’t attend the meeting and isn’t a member of the Shadow Cabinet. Our attendance is recorded in a book, not on a piece of paper. Didn’t she read what she was signing, or was she intimidated? I am not sure,” Ssenyonyi remarked.

He also questioned Nanyondo’s literacy and attention to detail, noting, “The censure motion has a clear headline indicating its purpose. I don’t understand how she could mistake it for an attendance list. Perhaps she was intimidated after signing the motion.”

Balimwezo Nsubuga (Nakawa East) echoed Ssenyonyi’s sentiments, describing Nanyondo’s decision to withdraw her signature as surprising and unfortunate. “It is very unfortunate that she has come out to withdraw her signature after the censure motion. She wasn’t part of our meeting. She signed the censure motion, so you can’t tell me she thought it was an attendance list,” Nsubuga said.

Nsubuga further speculated that Nanyondo’s actions might be part of a larger scheme to undermine the censure motion. “I believe this is a mission to reduce the censure motion. It must be someone trying to show the public that some MPs were signing things they didn’t know about or were under duress,” he added.

This comes as Asuman Basalirwa (Bugiri Municipality) has threatened legal action against Theodore Ssekikubo (Lwemiyaga County) and all MPs involved in the censure motion against the four Commissioners. Basalirwa on Wednesday claimed to have received instructions from Solomon Silwany (Bukooli Central) and Mathias Mpuuga (Nyendo-Mukungwe), asserting that he will seek hefty damages in court from Ssekikubo for orchestrating the motion.

Basalirwa argued that the censure motion is an illegality and in contempt of court, as there is an active case where Parliament is being sued by lawyer Male Mabirizi over the Shs1.7Bn Service Award. He further asserted that the motion will never go on the order paper of parliament because its subjudice and therefore illegal.

The Mps seek accountability over the Shs1.7Bn Service Award.