Museveni’s crackdown on ‘official’ graft lands MPs in detention amid Ugandan Parliament scandal

Summary:

• Three Ugandan MPs, including prominent figures, have been arrested on corruption charges, revealing deep-seated issues within Uganda’s Parliament. President Museveni acknowledged corruption’s pervasive impact, implicating both legislators and civil servants.

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KAMPALA, (Examiner) – The recent arrest of three Ugandan legislators—Lwengo District Woman MP Cissy Namujju, Bunyole West MP Yusuf Mutembuli, and Busiki County MP Paul Akamba—has sent shockwaves through the nation’s political landscape. Accused of involvement in corruption and budgetary distortions, these arrests have left their peers in apprehension, reflecting a deeper crisis within Uganda’s governance.

President Yoweri Museveni, in his State of the Nation address on June 6, acknowledged the pervasive issue of corruption within the country. He pointedly accused politicians and civil servants of perpetuating corruption schemes that hinder Uganda’s development. Museveni highlighted evidence of a corrupt racket operating within Parliament and the Finance Ministry. He revealed a scheme where ministries and government departments are coerced into paying bribes to increase their budget allocations, resulting in annual budget alterations.

Moreover, Museveni did not spare his own administration from scrutiny, disclosing instances where officials from the President’s Office and State House solicit money from investors in exchange for promises of access to the president. These revelations underscore the deep-seated nature of corruption that extends beyond legislative boundaries into executive realms.

Just days after Museveni’s address, three members of Parliament’s Budget Committee were arrested, arraigned in court, and subsequently remanded. The prosecution alleges that these MPs solicited bribes from the Uganda Human Rights Commission to secure a larger share of the budgetary pie—an accusation that further tarnishes the image of Uganda’s legislative body.

In response to these developments, Joel Ssenyonyi, the Leader of Opposition in Parliament, called for a broader investigation into corruption, implicating the Parliamentary Commission itself. He criticized the commission for lacking transparency, alleging secretive dealings that exclude dissenting voices from crucial decisions, such as contract awards that potentially involve conflicts of interest.

Meanwhile, internal unrest within Parliament has been palpable, exacerbated by ongoing investigations by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID). Some legislators have reportedly opted to travel abroad temporarily, while others have chosen to stay away from parliamentary sessions, reflecting a climate of fear and uncertainty.

The financial toll of corruption in Uganda is staggering, with reports from the Auditor-General indicating that up to 40% of the national budget is lost to corrupt practices annually. This figure underscores the urgent need for systemic reforms and stringent anti-corruption measures across all levels of government.

Ramathan Ggoobi, the Finance Ministry’s Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury, admitted the longstanding practice of MPs manipulating the budget to prioritize pet projects in their constituencies. Ggoobi highlighted how MPs wield significant influence over budget allocations, often at the expense of national development priorities. This revelation further underscores the entrenched nature of corruption within Uganda’s legislative processes.

Amidst these revelations, efforts are underway within Parliament to hold accountable those accused of financial impropriety. Led by MP Theodro Ssekikubo, a coalition seeks to censure four commissioners allegedly involved in self-serving financial maneuvers amounting to USh1.7 billion ($449,060). This move signals a growing push for accountability and transparency within Uganda’s political elite.

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