Parliamentary records have revealed how the current Leader of the Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi, allegedly claimed Ugandan taxpayer money without conducting any official business during a four-day trip to Nairobi, Kenya, under the pretense of visiting the ailing Ssegirinya Muhammad in a hospital.
Ssegirinya, who has been unwell since his release from Luzira prison, has sparked public debate as Ssenyonyi reportedly claimed per diem for four days despite not spending that time visiting him.
John Baptist Nambeshe, the Chief Opposition Whip and Deputy President of the opposition National Unity Platform, is also implicated in the matter. Ssenyonyi, who had a return ticket for five days, returned after just one day, leaving behind the remaining four days’ worth of per diem.
Documents reveal that Ssenyonyi received up to Ugx 32.5 million for both trips, with each trip costing Ugx 16.235 million.Documents obtained by this website reveal that the Finance Department of Parliament compensated Mr. Ssenyonyi based on the number of days he requested for each trip.
Ssenyonyi submitted a requisition to the finance department, requesting per diem for five days, which was approved on February 9th. He was offered up to Ugx 16.235 million, with a daily rate of USD 850 for the Leader of the Opposition and USD 720 for an ordinary MP.
Subsequently, Ssenyonyi returned to Nairobi on March 5th for another visit to Ssegirinya, accompanied by MPs including Helen Nakimuli, Betty Ethel Naluyima, Lutamaguzi Ssemakula, and Derrick Nyeko.
Despite each trip lasting only one day and seeing Ssegirinya for that duration, Ssenyonyi and the MPs claimed per diem for five days.Combining both trips, Ssenyonyi received a total of Ugx 32.5 million, far more than the Ugx 3.7 million he would have received if properly compensated.
During a Parliament Exhibition, Ssenyonyi criticized Parliament for providing per diem for the full five days despite his single-day travel.A document disclosed that Ssenyonyi requested permission from the Speaker of Parliament to travel to Kenya for five days with Chief Opposition Whip John Baptist Nambeshe. However, they only spent one day on each trip, prompting them to refund the money two months later after the issue came to light.
A staff member in the finance department at Parliament expressed frustration, stating, “They should be honest to Ugandans and stop that foolery. They eat the money and start blaming others for what they did.”
SSENYONYI RESPONDS
Ssenyonyi, on Thursday afternoon said he returned Ugx 14 million of the said facilitation, two months after taking it.Addressing the media in Kampala on Thursday, Ssenyonyi clarified the situation, stating that he had only planned to spend one night in Nairobi and promptly returned to fulfil his other duties.
However, he discovered that the funds allocated were processed for five days instead of the one day he intended to be present.
“I clearly stated my intention to stay for one night and promptly returned to fulfil my other commitments. However, I was surprised to find that funds were processed for five days, contrary to my plans,” he explained.
Ssenyonyi stressed the importance of accountability, noting deductions would be made from their emoluments for surplus days. Anticipating deductions from his March emoluments, he submitted the excess funds, but delays prompted him to reimburse the amount himself to expedite resolution.
He withdrew the funds and deposited them in the accountability office to ensure swift resolution, emphasizing accountability as a priority.
“Any surplus days are deducted from our emoluments in the following months. I promptly submitted the excess funds, anticipating their deduction from my March emoluments. However, the process was delayed, and I opted to reimburse the amount myself to expedite the matter,” he stated.
He further elaborated that he did not wish to prolong the process, especially considering that deductions were slated for April, which he found unacceptable.
“I withdrew the funds from my account and deposited them in the accountability office, ensuring swift resolution of the issue. Accountability should be a priority for all of us,” he said.
