Joel Ssenyonyi, the Leader of Opposition in Uganda’s Parliament, has officially approached the country’s principal oversight and anti-corruption agencies, requesting an investigation into the serious allegations of corruption and misconduct within Parliament.
Ssenyonyi’s efforts to secure full accountability have encountered an obstacle after it was revealed that he had filed for a per diem for a five-day trip to Nairobi, Kenya, totaling $4,250 (about Shs16.3 million), even though he was only out of the country for a single day. If these allegations are confirmed, Ssenyonyi could be subjected to the same scrutiny he has sought for the parliamentary leaders currently under investigation.
On Thursday morning, Ssenyonyi disclosed that he had sent letters 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 on March 20. He mentioned that the information he used was partly sourced from social media, which has recently put the parliamentary leadership under intense public scrutiny.
In a press briefing at the Parliamentary Buildings, Ssenyonyi stated that his letters contribute to the ongoing demand for accountability regarding the billions of shillings spent.
He has requested that the Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among; the Clerk to Parliament, Adolf Mwesige; and other parliamentary staff address various concerns related to their alleged involvement in financial misconduct. These concerns include potential embezzlement, misuse of parliamentary privileges, questionable service awards, and possible irregularities in staff recruitment.
Additionally, he has requested clarification on whether a significant contract allegedly connected to the Speaker was awarded in accordance with public procurement rules.
The allegations have been in the public eye for nearly a month after a civic group released several documents on social media under the hashtag #UgandaParliamentExhibition.
In his letter to the IGG, Ssenyonyi emphasized the importance of these allegations and their potential repercussions on democracy and public welfare, calling for a comprehensive and impartial investigation as required by the Inspector General of Government Act.
On the same day, Beti Kamya announced her decision to step back from her previously stated plan to investigate corruption within Parliament, citing an ongoing audit by the Auditor General’s Office. Kamya acknowledged receipt of Ssenyonyi’s letter, which had initially motivated her to consider an investigation. She outlined the collaborative approach to such investigations and the standard practice of deferring to the Auditor General’s Office, with her office engaging post-audit, while maintaining respect for Parliament and commitment to their investigative duties.
