The Parliamentary Commission has found itself embroiled in legal controversy over a “service award” granted to Mathias Mpuuga, the former Leader of Opposition in Parliament, along with three other commissioners.
The lawsuit, initiated by Mr. Daniel Bwette, a concerned citizen, was filed with the High Court in Kampala on May 23. Bwette contends that the Parliamentary Commission’s decision to distribute a total of Shs1.7 billion among the four officials is illegal, oppressive, biased, irrational, and unfair.
“The decision by the Parliamentary Commission to award Shs500 million to the Leader of Opposition, Mr. Mathias Mpuuga, and Shs400 million each to three other commissioners, under the guise of a service award on May 6, 2022, is ultra vires, null, and void,” states Bwette’s lawsuit.
Court documents disclose that on May 6, 2022, commissioners Prossy Akampurira (Rubanda District Woman MP), Solomon Silwany (Bukooli County MP), and Esther Afoyochan (Woman District MP for Zombo) were each awarded Shs400 million. Mr. Mpuuga received Shs500 million. These awards were sanctioned during a meeting with the Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among.
Questioning the Legitimacy of the Awards
Bwette argues that such a service award is not part of the official remuneration structure for Parliament members. He asserts, “This payment, labeled as a service award, is not recognized within parliamentary payment frameworks and is not a legitimate benefit for serving MPs.”
Bwette further claims that neither the Parliament nor its committees were involved in the decision-making process, which he believes was marred by illegalities, procedural impropriety, and irrationality. He asserts that the decision is therefore inoperative, null, and void. “The Parliamentary Commission’s action of awarding themselves this service award was illegal,” Bwette declares.
The lawsuit also claims that the Parliamentary Commission lacked any lawful justification for this decision, which directly violates the Constitution. Bwette, represented by Nabwire & Co. Advocates, seeks a High Court declaration that the Commission’s decision constituted an abuse or misuse of administrative powers, violating prohibitions against decisions influenced by financial interests.
Legal Proceedings and Political Ramifications
Last Friday, Justice Douglas Singiza presided over the case and set deadlines for the Parliamentary Commission and the petitioner to file their written submissions. Both parties are required to submit their documents today and tomorrow, with a court session scheduled for further directions later this week.
This lawsuit coincides with a political campaign led by Lwemiyaga County MP Theodore Ssekikubo, who is pushing for the censure of Mr. Mpuuga and his fellow commissioners. Ssekikubo plans to present a list of MPs who support the censure motion.
The National Unity Platform (NUP), to which Mr. Mpuuga belongs, attempted to recall him as a commissioner but found itself without the necessary mandate. According to parliamentary rules, Mr. Mpuuga and the other commissioners can only be removed through a successful censure motion. Despite this, MP Ssekikubo continues his efforts, facing opposition from NRM Chief Whip in Parliament, Hamson Obua, who has directed NRM MPs not to sign the censure motion.
Adding to the complexity, city lawyer Hassan Male Mabirizi has withdrawn his private criminal prosecution against the four commissioners and the Speaker before the Anti-Corruption Court. This move is aimed at facilitating the progression of the parliamentary censure motion.
The unfolding events highlight significant legal and political challenges surrounding the service award, bringing into question the integrity and transparency of the Parliamentary Commission’s decisions.
