Kampala, UG– The Anti-Corruption Court has denied bail to two National Resistance Movement (NRM) Members of Parliament, Cissy Namujju (Lwengo District) and Yusuf Mutembuli (Bunyole East), who are facing corruption charges.

The two MPs, along with Paul Akamba (Busiki County), were remanded to Luzira Prison over allegations of soliciting bribes.

The prosecution alleges that on May 13, 2024, at Hotel Africana in Kampala, the three legislators demanded a 20% kickback from Mariam Wangadya, Chairperson of the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC), in exchange for influencing the Parliament’s Budget Committee to increase the UHRC’s budget for the 2024/2025 financial year.

During today’s court session, the MPs sought bail after missing the Budget reading session at Kololo Independence Grounds. However, the court denied bail to Namujju and Mutembuli, remanding them until June 17. Paul Akamba was granted bail with conditions, including a UGX 13 million cash bond and a UGX 100 million non-cash bond.

Namujju presented Muhammad Ssentayi (Bukoto West MP), Hajji Hassan Bulwadda (owner of Bulwadda Clinics), and Ssemwwanga Gyavira (Buyamba County MP) as her sureties. Akamba’s sureties were Mariam Naigaga (Namutumba District MP), Robert Kasolo (Iki Iki Constituency MP), and Henry Kibalya Maurice (Bugabula South MP). Mutembuli presented Namukose Minsa Kirya, a community development officer in Mukono and his sister, as his surety.

Despite the sureties, the prosecution requested additional time to verify the documents, leading to the denial of bail for Namujju and Mutembuli.

In response to the arrests, Deputy Speaker of Parliament addressed the issue during the Uganda Parliamentary Forum on Youth Affairs (UPFYA) handover ceremony.

He warned MPs to steer clear of corruption, stating that while Parliament will support the accused until proven guilty, members must be ready to face the consequences of their actions.

The ongoing case highlights Uganda’s intensified efforts to combat corruption and ensure accountability among public officials. The situation remains tense as the court prepares for the next hearing on June 17.