NRM Legislators Call for Removal of Parliamentary Commissioners Over Shs500M Service Award Scandal

A section of National Resistance Movement (NRM) legislators have called for the removal of four MPs from the Parliamentary Commission, following allegations that they shared Shs400M-Shs500M among themselves as a service award.

The legislators believe that this move will help restore the dignity and integrity of Parliament and strengthen public trust in the institution.

During a press briefing at Parliament, Theodore Ssekikubo (Lwemiyaga County) spearheaded the call, naming Esther Afoyochan (Zombo DWR), Prossy Akampulira (Rubanda DWR), Solomon Silwany (Bukooli Central), and Mathias Mpuuga (Nyendo-Mukungwe) as the MPs who should be removed from their positions. He accused them of misconduct for awarding themselves a monthly salary,  in addition to their regular MP salaries without seeking approval from the House.

“They never presented it [the service award proposal] to Parliament; it was kept a secret. It wasn’t known, it was their own deal and we say, this can’t be left unchallenged. The conduct of the members affronts the dignity of Parliament, it degraded public trust and confidence in the institution of Parliament,” Ssekikubo stated. He emphasized that their actions constitute misbehavior and misconduct, making them liable for removal under the Rules of Procedure of Parliament, the Constitution, and the Administration of the Parliament Act.

Ssekikubo criticized the creation of the service award, describing it as illegal. “They created a service award which is unknown to law and in law, thereby failing in their duty to uphold the laws of Uganda. This is totally unknown and as you are aware, this very Parliament in the 10th Parliament had thoroughly investigated the so-called service award by MPs,” he added.

Yorke Alion (Aringa South) supported Ssekikubo’s call, stressing the need for Parliament to act against corruption. “The time is now, Parliament is the highest institution in this country, we aren’t going to promote acts of corruption. Commissioners are our representatives and we advised them to resign, up to today, they have refused to step aside. We are now taking action to impeach them,” Alion stated.

Patrick Oshabe (Kassanda North) questioned Mathias Mpuuga’s continued role as Commissioner, noting that the National Unity Platform, which appointed him, had declared the service award immoral. “You can’t appropriate yourself Shs500M or Shs23M for your own benefit and do nothing about the people you represent,” Oshabe argued.

Joseph Ssewungu (Kalungu West) thanked Ssekikubo for initiating the censure motion, asserting that it would help MPs regain credibility with their constituents. “In our areas, they have been attacking us that we were all bought because we are saying nothing. All our efforts must be geared towards putting the image of this institution ahead of others,” Ssewungu remarked.

Ssewungu warned of dire consequences if Parliament fails in its oversight role. “If we fail here at Parliament, the watchdog, then the country is as good as gone,” Ssewungu added.

Sarah Opendi (Tororo DWR) urged Ugandans to ensure their MPs support the censure motion. “I also want to call upon the voters to cross-check whether your MPs have appended their signatures. We shall be publishing this list and please see those MPs who aren’t here to serve you,” Opendi said.

According to Ssekikubo, the motion requires 177 signatures to proceed. He called on all MPs to support the motion to prevent the misuse of public funds. “Duty demands that MPs must come back; they can’t keep hiding. We must say no to the misconduct, to the diversion of public funds for personal aggrandizement,” Ssekikubo urged.