In a stern address to Parliament, Speaker Anita Among has issued a grave warning to legislators about accepting bribes from accounting officers.
This follows the recent arrest and remand of three National Resistance Movement (NRM) Members of Parliament on corruption charges.Lwengo Woman MP Cissy Namujju, Paul Akamba of Busiki County, and Yusuf Mutembuli of Bunyole East are currently held in Luzira Prison.
They are accused of soliciting a 20% kickback from Mariam Wangadya, Chairperson of the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC), in exchange for influencing the Parliament’s Budget Committee to increase the UHRC’s budget for the 2024/2025 financial year.
Speaking at the second sitting of the first meeting of the fourth session, Speaker Among emphasized the critical importance of integrity and transparency in parliamentary duties.
"The 2024/2025 budget is a product of a complementary working relationship between the three arms of government," Among stated
She disclosed that the national budget was the result of extensive consultations with various stakeholders, in accordance with the Constitution, the Public Finance Management Act, the National Audit Act, and the Local Government Act of 1997.
"It’s unfortunate that some accounting officers have decided to keep silent on issues related to the influence and manipulation of the budget," Among remarked,
Voicing her concerns about the silence and complacency of some officials.The Speaker used the budget reading platform to caution MPs against falling into corruption traps, urging them to resist any inducements from accounting officers.
"Such actions could lead to severe consequences," she warned, emphasizing the potential repercussions for those found guilty of corruption.
Among also called on accounting officers to perform their duties with diligence and ensure the proper utilization of public resources.
She stressed the need for openness and accountability, urging officers to come forward with any information related to undue influence on their budgets.
Her remarks come at a time when the Ugandan Parliament is under intense scrutiny following the high-profile arrests.
The prosecution alleges that the MPs' actions were a blatant attempt to manipulate the budget process for personal gain. This incident has highlighted the persistent challenges of corruption within the legislative body, despite ongoing efforts to promote transparency and accountability.
Speaker Among's address serves as a stark reminder of the ethical responsibilities that come with public service.
Her call for integrity and transparency resonates strongly as Uganda continues to grapple with issues of corruption. The legislative body is now faced with the task of restoring public trust and ensuring that the budget process remains free from undue influence and manipulation.
