Museveni Knew of MP Extortion for Over a Year, Sources

Summary:

• President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has known for over a year that MPs were extorting money from government agencies and ministries. He previously warned MPs against this practice, specifically mentioning Lwengo Woman MP Cissy Namujju. This issue has come to light following the recent arrest of three MPs for allegedly attempting to extort Shs 12 billion from the Uganda Human Rights Commission.

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KAMPALA, (Examiner) – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni was aware more than a year ago that Members of Parliament were extorting money from government agencies and ministries. According to MPs with direct knowledge of the situation, Museveni had previously warned MPs against such practices during meetings. One notable meeting occurred late last year when Museveni addressed selected National Resistance Movement (NRM) MPs to garner support for the Petroleum Supply Amendment Bill 2023. This bill would allow the government, through the Uganda National Oil Company, to buy fuel directly from Kenya, cutting out middlemen.

During the meeting, Museveni entered the room and immediately scolded the MPs for their corrupt activities. “Before he even greeted us, he said, ‘You people, you are extorting money from agencies; Cissy [referring to Lwengo Woman MP Namujju], are you hearing?’” recounted one MP, highlighting the president’s knowledge and frustration with the ongoing extortion.

This revelation comes just a week after three MPs were arrested and charged with attempting to extort nearly Shs 12 billion from the chairperson of the Uganda Human Rights Commission, Mariam Wangadya, to pass the Shs 58 billion Commission budget. The accused MPs are Cissy Namujju, the Woman MP for Lwengo district; Paul Akamba, the MP for Busiki County; and Yusuf Mutembuli, also from Busiki County.

Sources revealed that Museveni’s disapproval of such conduct led to Namujju’s removal from the budget committee last year, upon the president’s directive to Government Chief Whip Hamson Obua. MPs explained that the Budget Committee, despite being at the receiving end of reports from other committees, remains highly sought after due to its influence over financial allocations.

The practice of MPs extorting money is linked to reallocating funds for “unfunded priorities” in government budgets. Agencies appeal to MPs to reallocate funds, providing opportunities for extortion under the guise of helping these agencies. One MP suggested that eliminating the “unfunded priorities” item could reduce these corrupt practices.

President Museveni has historically criticized parliament for altering the budget, claiming MPs lack the authority to make such changes. However, legal advice has affirmed that MPs can amend the budget as an Appropriation Bill. Despite the president’s past vows to tackle corruption, tangible action has been limited. The recent arrests and Museveni’s renewed focus on punishing corrupt MPs and officials from the Ministry of Finance signal a potential shift, but the long-term impact remains to be seen.

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