The Parliament of Uganda has stood firm and denied allegations of bribing members with huge sums of cash for reasons yet to be established.
Apparently, the National Unity Platform (NUP) party in a statement yesterday (Tuesday, 14th June) claimed that MPs, including some who subscribe to NUP, were paid a Shs40 million bribe from Parliament, and that they recieved it in hard cash from Speaker Anita Among’s home.
Parliament has however kept a safe distance from the alleged payment as claimed by the NUP, and called it ‘a deliberate, persistent smear campaign’ against the leadership of Parliament.
Chris Obore, the Director, Communications and Public Affairs in Parliament has clarified that any payment to MPs by the Commission is charged on the Consolidated Account, and remitted to an individual MP’s bank account.
“If indeed there has been any such payment by Parliament to MPs outside the known procedures as the NUP claims, wouldn’t it have been the right thing for the party to interest the accountability Committees, chaired by its Members, in the matter with evidence for action?” Obore questioned.
He further noted that as leaders, the MPs who NUP claims received the money are duty-bound under Section 10 of the Penal Code Act 2002 (as amended) to declare the same to the Inspectorate of Government for proper investigation.
“Short of the above, the statement is an effort to tarnish the institution of Parliament where ironically, NUP has representation at the highest decision making organs – the Committees and Commission,” Obore stated.
The Parliament spokesperson went on to fault the media for spreading ‘false’ news. “It is unfortunate that a section of the media has picked up and published the same allegations, yet they ought to interrogate these kinds of claims with professional fairness and rigour.”
“The image of Parliament should not be sacrificed at the altar of internal party intrigues. Parliament belongs to all citizens, not an individual political party, therefore; respect to Parliament is respect to citizens.”
Parliament further advised the public to treat the statement from NUP as mere allegations without basis since, as earlier mentioned, Parliament does not make cash payment to MPs.
