Lwemiyaga County MP, Theodore Ssekikubo on Tuesday announced that he had secured the requisite 177 signatures to censure four back bench commissioners.
In a significant move, the required number of signatures to censure four commissioners of the Ugandan Parliament has been reached, marking a historic moment. On July 25th, 2024, Arua Central Division MP Atima Jackson added the final signature to the motion, in the presence of lead petitioner Hon. Theodore Ssekikubo. The motion targets Mathias Mpuuga and three other backbench commissioners over a controversial service award, alleging improper receipt of substantial sums.
The censure motion, spearheaded by Theodore Ssekikubo, Tororo District Woman MP Sarah Opendi, and Kalungu West MP Joseph Ssewungu, seeks accountability from Mathias Mpuuga, then Leader of the Opposition, and three backbench commissioners—Solomon Silwany (Bukooli Central), Esther Afoyochan (Zombo Woman), and Prossy Mbabazi (Rubanda Woman). The petitioners allege that in March 2022, Mpuuga negotiated and received a 500 million UGX service award from the Parliamentary Commission, while each of the three backbench commissioners received 400 million UGX.
The payments, made on a person-to-holder basis, were awarded even before the recipients had completed a year in office, raising questions about the legitimacy and timing of the “award.” The controversy has stirred significant public and political discourse, particularly given the silence of the three backbench commissioners on the matter. Meanwhile, Mpuuga has strongly defended himself, denying any wrongdoing and asserting his integrity amidst the scandal.
The censure motion’s success in gathering the necessary signatures, facilitated by Atima Jackson’s pivotal support, signals a crucial step towards holding the implicated officials accountable. The motion will now proceed to the next stages within Parliament, where further debates and decisions will determine the outcome. The case highlights ongoing concerns over transparency and ethical conduct within Uganda’s legislative body, drawing attention to the need for rigorous oversight and accountability mechanisms.
As the proceedings continue, the Ugandan public and political analysts will be closely watching the developments, anticipating potential repercussions for the individuals involved and the broader implications for parliamentary governance in the country.
