Lwemiyaga County legislator Theodore Ssekikubo has made a bold move by releasing a list of Members of Parliament (MPs) who have signed a censure motion aimed at impeaching four parliament commissioners.
The commissioners are embroiled in a scandal involving the allocation of Shs1.7 billion among themselves, which has ignited accusations of corruption and illegality.
Ssekikubo, alongside Tororo Women Member of Parliament Sarah Achieng Opendi, has been at the forefront of this campaign for the past three weeks, urging colleagues to join the motion.
“What we are doing is collecting signatures so that the debate can start. A lot has been said about the evidence; if you know you are right, let us have the debate,” Ssekikubo stated.
He even invited the commissioners to sign the motion, asserting,
“I think I will call upon the commissioners themselves who plead that they are innocent to append their signatures. So that they can be exonerated in full broad daylight, and I know this is the only opportunity they have.”
The list of signatories, now made public by Ssekikubo, includes prominent figures such as Betty Nambooze and Yona Musinguzi.
“This process is critical for the integrity of our parliamentary system,” Ssekikubo said. “We must show that no one is above the law, and that includes our commissioners. We need to stand firm against these threats and continue pushing for accountability.”
However, the drive has faced significant resistance. Some legislators have refused to sign the motion, arguing that the commissioners should be presumed innocent until proven guilty. Others claim the motion is politically motivated.
Despite these objections, Ssekikubo and Opendi have managed to secure substantial support, illustrating the deep divisions within parliament.
Hon. Ronald Olema Afidra, chairperson of the forum to end child marriages and teenage pregnancies, echoed the urgency of the situation, stating,
“We need the girls growing up to be girls, not to prematurely become mothers.”
His comments highlight a broader context of societal challenges that parliament must address, further underscoring the need for ethical leadership.
The release of the signatories list has intensified the debate within parliament. Ssekikubo acknowledged the difficulties faced by supporters of the motion, including threats and accusations of being funded by homosexuals.
“This is the first time in my tenure that I am seeing the kind of storm that is currently engulfing Parliament,” he said.
“We are not bound by the 14-day rule as the notice has not been filed with the Clerk to Parliament’s office. This means we still have time to gather more support and ensure this motion is debated thoroughly.”
Ssekikubo’s revelation comes just days after President Museveni addressed the nation, highlighting the rampant growth of corruption within his government. Museveni criticized the Inspectorate of Government (IGG) for failing to handle corrupt officials effectively, adding that while some officials might still be useful, they should not exploit the country.
As the push for accountability continues, the public release of the signatories list signifies a transparent approach to the impeachment process. Whether this will lead to the removal of the implicated commissioners remains to be seen, but Ssekikubo’s actions have undeniably brought the issue of parliamentary integrity to the forefront.
As the debate intensifies, all eyes are on the commissioners and the legislators driving this campaign, waiting to see if justice will prevail.
