Summary:
- The censure motion requires at least 177 signatures to be tabled before the House for debate but Ssekikubo says that 170 MPs have already appended their signatures to the censure motion papers.
MBARARA: A section of Members of Parliament from the Ankole region have reportedly gone into hiding, while others have switched off their known contacts upon learning that the movers of the motion seeking to censure the four embattled commissioners of Parliament are in the region soliciting signatures.
Addressing the media in Mbarara City on Saturday afternoon, the movers of the motion, led by Theodore Ssekikubo of Lwemiyaga and Odria Arion of Aringa South, stated that out of 45 Members of Parliament in the Ankole region, only 15 have appended their signatures to censure the four commissioners over the controversial 1.7 billion shillings they awarded themselves as a “service award.”
The four include former Leader of the Opposition in Parliament and Nyendo-Mukungwe MP, Mathias Mpuuga; Bukooli County Central MP, Solomon Silwany; Zombo District Woman MP, Esther Afoyochan; and Rubanda District Woman MP, Prossy Akampurira.
MP Ssekikubo mentioned they were in Ankole to inform their colleagues, currently on recess, about their presence. He discussed their recent activities in Bushenyi, where they engaged with the public and tried to contact other MPs, many of whom were either unreachable or not responding to calls.
“Yes, it’s true that Parliament is on break, and we are concerned about the Speaker repeatedly adjourning Parliament when there is ample business at hand. With 170 MPs having signed, shouldn’t that be sufficient reason for Speaker Among to prioritize parliamentary business?” Ssekikubo explained.
The censure motion requires at least 177 signatures to be tabled before the House for debate but Ssekikubo says that 170 MPs have already appended their signatures to the censure motion papers.
Odria Arion from Aringa South stated that on Friday, they attended radio talk shows in Mbarara, and this morning they did the same in Bushenyi. Currently, they are at City Hall, waiting until 5 PM for MPs from Ankole and Kigezi who haven’t yet signed to come forward and add their signatures.
“I urge MPs from Ankole who have not signed to come forward and join the fight against corruption in Parliament. The President, who hails from the region, is battling corruption alone,” Arion explained.
He stated they are touring the entire region to gather signatures from fellow MPs. He noted they have already visited Bunyoro and Busoga and will travel to West Nile next week, followed by Northern Uganda. Arion encouraged voters to keep tabs on their MPs to ensure they have signed against corruption.
