Opposition Leader In Parliament Rt. Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi has penned letters to Director of Public Prosecution Frances Abodo, Inspector General of Government Beti Kamya, and Auditor General John Muwanga, urging them to launch an investigation into claims of corruption and misconduct within Parliament.
Ssenyonyi disclosed that due to Parliament’s inadequate response to public concerns, he felt compelled to appeal to these three authorities to delve into the affairs of Parliament as an institution under Speaker Among’s leadership
.“I have written to the IGG, DPP and Auditor General, asking them to act within their mandate to investigate matters of financial impropriety, and other issues that are happening here at Parliament. The Speaker in 146 days received Shs2.6Bn when you do the tabulation, it shows that the Speaker was away for half a year. That isn’t true, the Speaker is always here, even when she had twins, two weeks later, she was back presiding over the House. So, there is no evidence to show that the Speaker was away for half the year for about six months, so these are critical issues that we are concerned about,” Remarked Joel Ssenyonyi.
Ssenyonyi has urged Speaker Among to refrain from using former Speaker Rebecca Kadaga and the issue of homosexuality as diversions to evade accountability for corruption allegations leveled against her. He emphasized that Ugandans are primarily concerned about accountability regarding the utilization of taxpayers’ funds, rather than personal disputes.
“The Speaker has been deflecting blame onto various targets. She has implicated homosexuals and even the former Speaker Rebecca Kadaga. Whether there are personal disagreements between these leaders is not my concern. What matters to me is that the Speaker is answerable for taxpayers’ money.” Ssenyonyi Said.
“I don’t know who next she is going to blame, because every day, she is looking for someone to blame. I don’t care who might have issues with her, as she does claim that those who are raising these issues are fighting her, I don’t know, I don’t care. What I care is that she gets to for taxpayer’s money,” He Added.
Earlier this month, LOP Joel Ssenyonyi brought up concerns from the public regarding Parliament’s use of taxpayers’ money and its accountability, among other issues.
In response, Speaker Among stated that Ssenyonyi’s concerns would only be addressed during the parliamentary Commission meeting and urged MPs to ensure evidence-based debates.
“We want to debate in anticipation. Matters of the media, we agreed as this House that we should have evidence based debates and that is what we are saying, bring evidence, lay on table and after we have laid any evidence on table, then we debate on it and I need it authenticated.” Remarked Speaker Among.
