In what some consider the beginning of trouble for corrupt government officials, at least three MPs, parliamentary staff and officials from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED) have been summoned for interrogation after President Yoweri Museveni threatened to crack the whip against those involved in graft. But police spokesperson Fred Enanga suggests no such summons have been made.
Reports indicate that Criminal Investigation Directorate (CID) sent the summons through the administration of Parliament, requiring at least three legislators to appear at its Kibuli headquarters for interrogation at 9am, 10am and 11am on Monday, June 10, 2024.
The summoned MPs, reports further indicated, include Lwengo District Woman MP Cissy Namujju, Parliament’s Legal Committee vice chairperson Yusuf Mutembuli (Bunyole East MP) and Busiki County representative Paul Akamba.
It is said that for some of the MPs who have reportedly been summoned, the fast speed at which they have been accumulating wealth – buying posh cars, constructing costly buildings and even purchasing properties abroad – raised a red flag on their source of wealth.
It should be remembered that on May 31, Lwemiyaga County MP Theodore Ssekikuubo, one of the legislators leading a censure motion against four parliamentary commissioners (including for leader of opposition in parliament Mathias Mpuuga) over their controversial Shs1.7bn cash award, accused Namujju of leading lawmakers on a trip outside the country to avoid being asked to sign the impeachment motion.
“We have learnt that some MPs are being taken away this evening Cissy Namujju is leading a group of 30MPs to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania keep them away. As we speak now, a group of MPs are in Nairobi to be kept away so that they don’t come to the limelight here,” said Ssekikuubo on May 31.
“30MPs are flying out this evening, it is a tactic meant to keep them away but they are lying. For us we shall not hesitate to read names of MPs who have appended their signatures to this historical motion.”
Prof Jimmy Spire Ssentongo, the brains behind exhibition that exposed parliament corruption, says eyes should be on final outcomes.
“I hope the summoning of some MPs and other Parliament officials by CID is not a facade to simply give an impression of being concerned. Eyes on the final outcomes,” wrote Ssentongo.
POLICE’S ENANGA CAN’T CONFIRM SUMMONS
Addressing reporters in Kampala, police publicist Fred Enanga couldn’t confirm summons.
“As the police we want to indicate that we don’t have any confirmation about having summoned any Ministry of Finance or Parliament officials,” he said.
“We know that investigations are a process and if we get any information that supports the summoning of any witness in this matter we shall alert the public.”
But CID headquarters in Kibuli remained under tight security. Police blocked journalists from accessing the place.
The ‘summons’ followed President Museveni’s warning that he would crush corrupt officials, including a racket involving MPs and Finance Ministry officials. (See Details Here).
All this comes as a move to impeach commissioners over corruption suffered a setback as those leading it struggled to secure signatures for the censure motion. Last week, an opposition MP shocked colleagues after withdrawing her signature claiming she thought she was signing on an attendance list, not a censure motion paper. (See Details Here).
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