Joel Ssenyonyi, the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, has called upon government anti-corruption agencies to investigate Speaker Anita Among and Clerk to Parliament, Mwesige, over suspected financial misconduct.
In letters addressed to bodies including the Inspectorate of Government, Financial Intelligence Authority (FIA), Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP), and the Office of the Auditor General, Ssenyonyi raised concerns about the alleged misuse of public funds for personal gain.
Among the allegations, Ssenyonyi questioned the payment of 2.6 billion Shillings to Among for foreign trips she reportedly did not undertake. He cited a supposed trip to Midland, South Africa, where Among allegedly received 318,000 million for a 20-day visit, suggesting a discrepancy in her per diem rate.
The Opposition Leader also pointed to irregularities in staffing at Parliament, including the untraceability of 105 staff on the payroll and the alleged irregular hiring of over 200 employees.
Moreover, Ssenyonyi demanded an investigation into the disbursement of 1.7 billion Shillings by the Parliamentary Commission, purportedly including payments to former Opposition Leader Mathias Mpuuga and two NRM backbench MPs serving on the Commission.
The accusations further extended to the alleged transfer of 9.9 billion Shillings from Parliament to private bank accounts under the guise of funding the Speaker’s community outreach programs.
Additionally, Ssenyonyi highlighted a 3.13 billion Shillings contract awarded to Mama Bukedea FM, a radio station reportedly owned by the Speaker, for coverage of Parliamentary activities.
In response, Parliament spokesperson Chris Obore dismissed the allegations as unfounded rumors aimed at tarnishing the Speaker’s reputation. Obore defended the contract with Mama Bukedea FM, stating it was awarded lawfully.
Ssenyonyi’s call for an investigation follows earlier attempts to address the matter within Parliament, including a request for a meeting of the Parliamentary Commission, which the Speaker deferred until June 30, 2024.
The allegations have garnered attention on various platforms, with activists and citizens alike expressing concerns over what they perceive as wasteful expenditure of public funds by Parliament.
