By Patriot Corps
Three Members of Parliament are recording statements at the Criminal Investigation Directorate (CID) headquarters in Kibuli as part of a wide investigation into acts of corruption involving lawmakers chairing key committees and senior officials at the Ministry of Finance.
Yusuf Mutembuli, vice chairperson of the Parliament’s Legal Committee and MP for Bunyole East in Buteleja district, was summoned to appear at 9:00 am. Lwengo Woman MP Cissy Donanzio Namujju was called for 10:00 am, and Busiki County MP Paul Akamba was scheduled for 11:00 am.
“They honored the summons and are being grilled by detectives,” said a close associate of one of the MPs.
The summons, sent through Parliament, required the MPs to answer corruption-related queries. The lawmakers were called to appear in Kibuli on Monday morning.
Police spokesperson Fred Enanga told the press he could “not confirm” reports that lawmakers and technocrats at the Ministry of Finance had been summoned for questioning. “As police, we have not confirmed summoning any officials from the Ministry of Finance or Parliament,” said Enanga, “You’ll be informed when that happens.”
However, his statement contradicts information from the lawmakers’ relatives, friends, and other sources who confirmed that the MPs were being interrogated.
It has been learned that two of the accused MPs are wanted over their roles in the Budget Committee of Parliament, where they were previously members. One of the legislators reportedly had underhand dealings with Kenyans during the processing of the Petroleum Supplies Amendment Bill in November 2023.
“Parliament is becoming a marketplace of deals for some MPs. There was a plot to sabotage the Petroleum Supplies Amendment Bill, and there are people who positioned themselves to benefit from it at the expense of Ugandans,” said a source.
Meanwhile, another MP is said to have collected huge sums of money from various agencies while serving as a member of the Budget Committee. This legislator reportedly bought an expensive SUV with a personalized number plate and has embarked on significant construction projects. He is also allegedly attempting to purchase a property in the U.S. for USD $3 million.
The summons followed President Yoweri Museveni’s revelation during the State of the Nation Address last week. The President stated he has evidence of a corrupt syndicate involving the Ministry of Finance and Parliament.
“I have been hearing that from the Ministry of Finance, they collude with the accounting officers of ministries to come to Parliament, working with some people there (Parliament) to provide certain funds, provided you take a share. I didn’t believe this, but now I have proof,” said Museveni on Thursday.