The National Unity Platform (NUP) has initiated significant alterations to its parliamentary representation, marking Francis Zaake’s ascendancy to the position of Parliamentary Commissioner, succeeding Mathias Mpuuga. The decision, emanating from the NUP’s National Executive Committee (NEC), follows a tide of allegations implicating Mpuuga in corruption and misconduct.
Mpuuga, hailing from the Nyendo-Mukungwe constituency, finds himself embroiled in potential ousting from the Parliamentary Commission amidst claims of accepting a hefty 500 million shillings “Service Award” from the Commission. In response, the NEC has nominated Francis Zaake, the incumbent Member of Parliament for Mityana, to assume Mpuuga’s erstwhile role as Commissioner.
This move to displace Mpuuga from the Commission arrives hot on the heels of Parliament Speaker Anita Among’s dismissal of discussions revolving around corruption allegations within the legislative body, citing a staunch refusal to lend credence to unfounded rumors.
The allegations against Mpuuga revolve around purported irregularities in fund allocations within the Parliamentary Commission, with allegations rife that he was among those who accepted pecuniary gratifications alongside fellow Commissioners. The NEC accuses Mpuuga of falling short in furnishing satisfactory clarifications for his actions, thus prompting their resolve to recall him from the Commission.
In a statement disseminated by Dr. Lina Zedriga Waru, Acting President of the NUP, it was emphasized that Mpuuga’s rejoinder to the accusations fell short of addressing the specific charges leveled against him. Consequently, the NEC resolved to recall Mpuuga from his position, citing corruption, dishonesty, and an abuse of office as grounds for his removal.
In tandem with Mpuuga’s ousting, the NUP has put forth Francis Zaake as his replacement on the Commission. Zaake’s nomination is underpinned by his prior dismissal from the same role in 2022, a move deemed unlawful by the Court of Appeal. Notwithstanding the court’s ruling, Parliament remains hesitant to reinstate Zaake, awaiting an appeal lodged by the Attorney General.
Mpuuga’s transition to the Parliamentary Commission in December 2023, supplanting Zaake, was met with widespread public scrutiny, perceived by many as a demotion from his erstwhile position as Leader of the Opposition. Documents disseminated during online protests under the hashtag #UgandaParliamentExhibition incriminated Mpuuga in the contentious allocation of funds.
Although NUP President Robert Kyagulanyi urged Mpuuga to tender an apology and resign from his position, Mpuuga rebuffed the entreaty, decrying it as a case of misrepresentation and harboring spiteful motives.
The reshuffle within NUP’s parliamentary representation underscores the party’s steadfast commitment to addressing corruption allegations and ensuring accountability amongst its members occupying pivotal positions within the government, as articulated in a statement from the party’s acting president.
