The State has unsealed the charges of corruption against three Ugandan lawmakers, saying the accused solicited money from the head of a government agency.
According to the charge sheet, Parliament’s Legal Committee Vice Chairperson, Yusuf Mutembuli; Lwengo Woman MP, Cissy Namujju and Busiki County MP, Paul Akamba on the 11th day of May 2024 at Hotel Africana in Kampala City, solietted from Mariam Wangadya the Chairperson of the Uganda Human Rights Commission UHRC, an undue advantage of 20% of the anticipated enhanced Budget of the UHRC for the Financial Year 2024 2025, by asserting that they were able to exert improper influence over the decision making of the Budget Committee of the Parliament of Uganda to increase the UHRC Budget, in consideration of the said undue advantage.
We understand that during the meeting at Hotel Africana, the lawmakers were purposely recorded and the tape was delivered to President Museveni.
The MPs’ arrest followed the revelation made by President Museveni last Thursday, during the State of the Nation Address, that there is proof against the corrupt government officials starting from the Ministry of Finance to Parliament.
The charges against the MPs were endorsed by the Director of Public Prosecution DPP, Jane Frances Abodo.
The lawyers pleaded to court for bail, saying the accused had fixed places of abode and credible sureties to guarantee their reappearance in court. Justice Joan Acilo said he would deliver the ruling on the request for bail on June 14, 2024.
The MPs were then handed to prisons officers. They will be jailed till they return to court for hearing of the bail application.
