The Leader of the Opposition in Parliament (LOP), Joel B. Ssenyonyi, has formally petitioned the Inspector General of Government (IGG), Beti Kamya Turwomwe to urgently investigate the illegal payment of Shs100 million to Members of Parliament.
The petition, dated April 28, 2025, and officially received by the Inspectorate of Government the same day, raises serious questions over payments that were allegedly made in cash, outside normal government financial protocols and under suspicious circumstances.
“I write to formally request your office to conduct a thorough and urgent investigation into a matter of significant public interest and concern: the illegal payment of one hundred million Uganda Shillings (Shs 100,000,000) to Members of Parliament,” Ssenyonyi stated in his letter.
He noted that although Parliamentary leadership initially denied the existence of the payment, multiple MPs have since confirmed receipt. Most prominently, Kagabo Twaha, the Member of Parliament for Bukoto South, confessed during a televised appearance that he received the money.
“While appearing on one of the televisions, he admitted having received this sum of money,” the letter notes, referring to a video link posted on X (formerly Twitter) by Sanyuka TV.
Ssenyonyi argued that this admission raises urgent and fundamental questions regarding the origin, purpose and legality of the payment. He expressed concern that the funds were reportedly distributed in cash, a method that circumvents public financial management standards and constitutes, in his words, “an act of grand corruption.”
Ssenyonyi requested that the IGG urgently investigate five key areas. First, he asked the IGG to determine the precise source of the funds—specifically, which Government Ministry, Department, or Agency disbursed the money, and under what budgetary allocation it was issued. Second, he called for clarity on how the funds were paid out. This includes a detailed examination of the transaction processes, dates, times, and individuals involved in the distribution. He noted that the alleged payments were made in the night, raising further suspicion.
Third, he demanded that the IGG establish the stated purpose of the payment. Was the money officially meant for Parliamentary work, constituency development, or any other defined and publicly known purpose?
Fourth, he requested a review of whether proper financial approvals were obtained and if relevant regulations were followed, with an emphasis on transparency and accountability mechanisms surrounding the payout. Finally, he urged the IGG to determine how many Members of Parliament benefited from this transaction, stressing that the magnitude and nature of the funds demand immediate public scrutiny.
“The unusual circumstances surrounding the alleged distribution, particularly the reported nighttime payments, further underscore the need for a comprehensive investigation,” the letter emphasized.
Ssenyonyi expressed confidence in the IGG’s ability to conduct a credible inquiry into the matter.
“I believe that a swift and conclusive investigation by your office will be crucial in clarifying this matter, addressing public concerns, and ensuring that any potential irregularities or illegalities are identified and appropriately dealt with in accordance with the law,” he said.
