Paulson Lutamaguzi Semakula (Nakaseke South MP) has denied being among the five noisy and talkative Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) involved in the embezzlement of Shs164 billion Cooperatives compensation money, describing the allegations as vulgarity, especially to people who were never involved in the theft.
“Some of us see fellow MPs eat, but that doesn’t mean we all eat (bribes). I am not among those opposition MPs who ate Cooperatives money. I saw Minister Ntabazi make an ‘excited’ statement that those vocal MPs who make noise are part of the gang that ate cooperatives money, I am not part of them. I am sure my name isn’t on the list, unless someone took that money in my name,” Lutamaguzi said.
Lutamaguzi made that remarks responding to the Minister of State for Trade, Harriet Ntabaazi who revealed that 30 MPs are facing criminal investigation into their role in the embezzlement Shs164 billion meant for Cooperatives compensation, and among the culprits include five ‘talkative’ and ‘noisy’ opposition MPs. However, the minister never mentioned any name of the five opposition MPs.
He also urged Speaker Among to come out strongly and handle all MPs involved in the embezzlement of Cooperatives money, arguing that the money wasn’t meant for MPs but rather ordinary citizens because if these MPs aren’t named, the rest will carry the shame like was the case of Karamoja iron sheets.
“If you are a Member of Parliament, you are supposed to behave responsibly; you are supposed to be the example in society. We recently had the saga of iron sheets, the public kept on castigating Parliament as an institution, but I never took any iron sheets, if there is any culprit who took Cooperatives money, let that person be held responsible. I am not ready to carry any MP’s cross when I am having many crosses that I am carrying. It is becoming a norm that some individuals will be stealing and then Parliament as an institution will be responsible for stealing,” Lutamaguzi said.
