Summary:
- The Commissioners are accused of allocating themselves Shs1.7Bn as service awards and a monthly salary of Shs23M, on top of their emoluments as MPs, without seeking Parliamentary approval.
KAMPALA: Theodore Ssekikubo, the Member of Parliament for Lwemiyaga County, has reportedly revealed that the embattled Commissioners are now seeking protection from the Speaker Anita Annet Among, claiming that the censure motion is aimed at removing her from office.
Ssekikubo says that in their desperation, the Commissioners have allegedly created fake Twitter accounts to tarnish his name.
Ssekikubo made these remarks on Monday while addressing journalists at Parliament. He expressed disappointment that, while he had hoped to close the registration of signatures for the censure motion this week, Opposition MPs have mysteriously evaded the exercise, which is now being driven by NRM MPs.
“We are disappointed that those named in our motion are trying to involve everything. This motion is aimed at the four MPs, but they are dragging in the Speaker. The Speaker isn’t part of this motion. There are other processes involving the IGG, the President, British High Commission, and Attorney General that can suffice. As a corruption crusader, you can’t tackle everything at once. Leave others to do their work while you focus on yours,” remarked Ssekikubo.
He added, “But we are disappointed they are involving the Speaker for no reason. The motion to censure the Speaker is different and can’t be omnibus. They are dragging in the Speaker out of fear, claiming that we are coming for her next. They have resorted to underhand methods, some criminal, posting on our Forum for the Government Chief Whip, and creating a fake Twitter account. I am not on Twitter; maybe I am not hi-tech or trendy. They started posting information to cause disaffection among my colleagues. Stop playing dirty. Commissioners, go down well; we won’t be shy to bury you. You saw it coming.”
Ssekikubo’s remarks followed a pronouncement last week by a group of MPs calling for the censure of Esther Afoyochan (Zombo District Woman Representative), Prossy Mbabazi Akampulira Begumisa (Rubanda District Woman Representative), Solomon Silwany (Bukooli Central MP), and Mathias Mpuuga (Nyendo-Mukungwe). The Commissioners are accused of allocating themselves Shs1.7Bn as service awards and a monthly salary of Shs23M, on top of their emoluments as MPs, without seeking Parliamentary approval.
Ssekikubo also criticized Opposition MPs for avoiding signing the motion to censure the four MPs on the Parliamentary Commission. He questioned why the Opposition, which had initially pledged to fight corruption, is now hiding when an opportunity to act has arisen.
“Clean leadership has been the hallmark of NRM. We fight for accountability and transparency. If you have noted, it is the NRM MPs at the forefront of this effort. The Opposition is wavering, looking through windows, and running through corridors. They aren’t standing tall. For MPs who promised to fight corruption and poor service delivery, this is a call to action. They must come to Parliament and discharge their duty to hold Parliament accountable. But they are hiding, busy elsewhere, involved in other businesses,” said Ssekikubo.
He added, “We need around 177 signatures, and Parliament should not shy away from debate. The four commissioners will have their chance to explain themselves. So why should anyone fear to come out and explain the Shs1.7Bn shared among the commissioners? Parliament is the bastion of transparency and accountability. Where are the MPs who came to Parliament chest thumping about standing for accountability and transparency? For one reason or another, some have refused to come. We had hoped to close the registration by the end of this week,” said Ssekikubo.
