Leaflets Challenge Church and Buganda Kingdom on Corruption Ahead of Mpuuga’s Event

Summary:

• Leaflets questioning the Catholic Church and Buganda Kingdom’s stance on corruption appeared in Masaka City ahead of a thanksgiving ceremony for Mathias Mpuuga, a parliamentarian accused of corruption by his party, the National Unity Platform. Mpuuga’s supporters and event organizers dismissed the leaflets as distractions with ulterior motives, while police reported no formal complaints. Mpuuga was greeted by both supporters and dissenters upon his arrival in Masaka.

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Leaflets questioning the Catholic Church and Buganda Kingdom’s stance on corruption appeared in Masaka City on Thursday, ahead of a thanksgiving ceremony for Mr. Mathias Mpuuga, the Nyendo-Mukungwe legislator and former Leader of the Opposition in Parliament. These leaflets called on both institutions to clarify their positions on corruption and embezzlement.

The ceremony, set for Kitovu Sports Arena Grounds in Masaka, will feature the Buganda Kingdom’s Katikkiro (Premier), Mr. Charles Peter Mayiga, and a mass led by Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere of the Kampala Archdiocese.

The messages on the leaflets included: “Corruption!!! Where does the Catholic Church stand on corruption and embezzlement of taxpayers’ money? Corruption!!! Obwakabaka Buyimiridde wa ku nguzi n’obulyake?” (Where does the Buganda Kingdom stand on bribery and corruption). These leaflets were distributed across Masaka in the early hours of Thursday.

Mr. Mpuuga, currently a Commissioner of Parliament, is in a dispute with his party, the National Unity Platform (NUP), which has accused him of corruption related to a Service Award of Shs 500 million from Parliament. He has refused to resign from his parliamentary commissioner position despite these allegations.

Joseph Kasirye, one of the event organizers, alleged that individuals claiming to be “agents of NUP leaders” distributed the leaflets. He urged those seeking answers about corruption to approach the Catholic Church and Buganda Kingdom directly rather than littering the city with leaflets, suggesting ulterior motives behind these actions.

Zahara Nalubyayi, a Masaka City councilor and member of Mr. Mpuuga’s organizing committee, criticized the leaflet creators, accusing them of hypocrisy and distraction. She emphasized that those opposing the thanksgiving ceremony are trying to present themselves as anti-corruption crusaders but are not genuine in their actions.

Southern Regional Police Spokesperson Mr. Twaha Kasirye stated that the police had not seen any of the leaflets nor received complaints about them.

Efforts to reach NUP Secretary General Mr. Lewis Rubongoya and Deputy Party Publicist Mr. Alex Mufumbiro for comment were unsuccessful.

Meanwhile, Mr. Mpuuga, who had been absent from public view for nearly a month, arrived in Masaka on Thursday evening. He was greeted by enthusiastic supporters but also faced opposition from some youths in his constituency, who chanted, “Mpuuga go away, we don’t need you here.”

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