Joel Ssenyonyi, the Opposition Leader in Uganda’s Parliament, has called upon the nation’s key oversight and anti-corruption bodies to investigate claims of significant corruption and office misconduct within the legislative body.
Ssenyonyi’s drive for accountability faced a challenge when it was revealed that he had submitted a per diem claim for a five-day trip to Nairobi, Kenya, totaling $4,250 (about Shs16.3 million), despite only being out of the country for one day. If these allegations are verified, Ssenyonyi could be subjected to the same scrutiny he has requested for the parliamentary leadership under suspicion.
Ssenyonyi disclosed that on March 20, he had written to the Inspector General of Government, Beti Kamya; the Director of Public Prosecutions, Jane Frances Abodo; the Auditor General’s Office, and the Financial Intelligence Authority, citing information that has been widely disseminated on social media, which has put the parliamentary leadership under intense scrutiny for the past two weeks.
At a press briefing in his office at the Parliamentary Buildings, Ssenyonyi stated that his letters support the ongoing call for accountability regarding the expenditure of billions of shillings.
He has requested that the Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among; the Clerk to Parliament, Adolf Mwesige; and other parliamentary staff address various issues related to their alleged involvement in financial misconduct. These issues include suspected embezzlement, misuse of parliamentary privileges, questionable service awards, and potential irregularities in staff recruitment.
Additionally, he has called for an explanation as to whether a significant contract allegedly linked to the Speaker was granted in accordance with public procurement laws.
The allegations have been in the public eye for nearly a month after a civic group released numerous documents on social media under the hashtag #UgandaParliamentExhibition.
In his letter to the IGG, Ssenyonyi emphasized the seriousness of these allegations and their potential impact on democracy and public welfare, calling for a thorough and impartial investigation as stipulated by the Inspector General of Government Act.
On the same day, Beti Kamya announced her decision to withdraw from her previously stated intention to investigate corruption within Parliament, citing an ongoing audit by the Auditor General’s Office. Kamya confirmed receipt of Ssenyonyi’s letter, which had initially motivated her decision to investigate. She discussed the collaborative nature of such investigations and the usual process of allowing the Auditor General’s Office to take the lead, with her office intervening post-audit, all while maintaining respect for Parliament and commitment to their investigative responsibilities.
