Yusuf Nsibambi (Mawokota South) who doubles as FDC Party Whip has led his Party in appending his signature on the ongoing censure motion intended to recall the four Commissioners from their office over the allocation of Shs1.7Bn in service awards and extra Shs23 million monthly salary but denied having any personal vendetta against any of the accused Commissioners.
The targeted commissioners are Mathias Mpuuga, Solomon Silwany, Prossy Akampurira and Esther Afoyochan.
While addressing journalists after signing the motion, Nsibambi defended his move, saying it is intended to give the accused an opportunity to account to Uganda on how they have been conducting business in Parliament.
“I have appended my signature specifically not condemning the people involved but to call upon them to come and explain to the public. We are accountable to the people; this matter has raised eyebrows and a lot of anxiety and people want information on exactly what happened and the basis of these awards. So, I believe the people involved will get an opportunity to come and explain to the public exactly what is going on,” said Nsibambi.
“I have no personal vendetta against these individuals, I do respect them a lot because they are representatives of the people but I think the public has a right to know exactly how we conduct business in Parliament. Commissioners are our leaders, but they must be accountable to us, the people they lead, if they aren’t satisfied with the way matters are being conducted,” added Nsibambi.
Theodore Ssekikubo (Lwemiyaga County) who is leading the collection of signatures thanked Nsibambi for joining the cause against corruption noting, thank you on behalf of the people of Mawokota County for doing this noble duty. We aren’t after anybody but as Parliament, we should be leading by example in the fight against corruption.”
Additionally, Agnes Taaka (Bugiri DWR) also appended her signature to the censure motion, saying her move is based on the need to have Commissioners account and explain the various allowances they have been drawing as members of the Parliamentary Commission.
Gilbert Olanya (Kilak South) claimed without evidence that many of his colleagues from Acholi are actually running from the village, to come and sign and later move back to their villages noting, “This is the way to go, we shouldn’t be condoning corruption in our country, you can’t allocate funds to yourselves, this is impunity, so we should stop encouraging impunity in this country. Government resources must be used by the taxpayers; you can’t allocate Government funds just to benefit yourself.”
The minister of information and National Guidance Chris Baryomunsi has described the process by a section of MPs collecting signatures to censure commissioners of parliament for abuse of office as being healthy since parliament needs to be accountable to the public. His statement comes after her colleague in cabinet Persis Namuganza asked electorates to vote against any minister or MP who would refuse to sign the censure motion.
