Lwemiyaga County Member of Parliament Theodore Ssekikubo has launched a scathing critique of Parliament’s integrity in light of mounting accusations of corruption and abuse of office.
Ssekikubo’s urgent call for action comes amid widespread public outrage over revelations of misconduct among parliamentary officials.
Expressing his dismay, Ssekikubo bemoaned the tarnished reputation of MPs, stating that they now live in fear of public scrutiny. He emphasized the gravity of the situation, highlighting MPs’ reluctance to be openly identified in public.
“We can’t now walk with our heads high on the streets of Kampala, we smuggle ourselves and bold out. It is not now the best time to be identified as MPs. We are all bundled up, nobody is giving answers,” Ssekikubo declared.
A primary concern raised by Ssekikubo revolves around the alleged misappropriation of funds by members of the Parliamentary Commission under the guise of ‘Service Awards’.
He condemned the lack of transparency surrounding these transactions, noting that several commissioners have gone into hiding amidst the public outcry.
“Even the Commissioners themselves are in hiding. We are here, we are loitering around the corridors of Parliament, and we can’t see anybody. These are very disturbing issues, and we are calling on the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and Clerk to live up to their calling to restore Parliament. Parliament is being run down,” Ssekikubo asserted.
Furthermore, Ssekikubo criticized the absence of effective leadership within Parliament, citing disarray among the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and the Clerk. He cautioned against exploiting this leadership vacuum for personal gain and urged parliamentary officials to fulfill their duties diligently.
In response to the allegations, the Clerk to Parliament, Adolf Mwesige, attempted to justify the controversial service award granted to the former Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Mathias Mpuuga. Mwesige defended the legality of the payment, labeling it as a token of appreciation (‘akasiimo’). He invoked parliamentary regulations to justify the decision, arguing that the Parliamentary Commission has the authority to determine benefits and allowances for MPs.
