Mathias Mpuuga MP: Press Statement (26.03.2024)

Opinion: Will Mpuuga walk alone?

The Parliament Exhibition has hurt the former Leader of Opposition and National Unity Platform (NUP) Member of Parliament, Mathias Mpuuga. The “Service Award” is hurting him and his case. That’s why the NUP Party has decided that he should vacate the role of Commissioner of Parliament and give it to Francis Zaake MP. However, since then it is has radio-silence.

Since the first interview and defence of the 500 million the MP and former LoP has been silent. He has not spoken and other has come into his defence. What has been striking is that the National Resistance Movement (NRM) has defended him and the reasons for him to get the additional perks. Therefore, something is odd…

Mpuuga have been defended by Bwanika (NUP) and Ssegona (NUP). There been other voices who has come to his aide. We can just wonder if they will join him elsewhere too. They all partook and got part of the red wave ahead of the 2021 elections.

The NUP Party has their integrity intact by sanctioning Mpuuga. Some might say it is for publicity since they haven’t demoted him internally, but wants him to resign as the Commissioner in Parliament. That role or title costs more for him than being the Deputy President in the Central (Buganda) Region.

Some is speculating that him falling out with the NUP and going somewhere else would hurt the NUP in the 2026 elections. That is further talk that isn’t proven. As he would have stand against a new competition and against someone who has a cleaner slate. This will be a hard sale, as he has proven his will to enrich himself on behalf of others.

The ones calling him Owek and honourable is mighty precious right now. The deafening silence is saying one out of two things. The first is that his trying to whether the storm. He hopes the winds dies down and people forget about the “eating”. The second one is that his trying to find the next step and how to move. Because, he knows his stature and place in the NUP is shattered.

Mpuuga don’t have the same support as before. Yes, there are “yes-men” and people loyal to him. Saying his an intellectual and a wise-man, but a wise-man wouldn’t have caught eating other people’s cookies. That’s what Mpuuga did and the deed has destroyed his legacy. The character of Mpuuga has changed and his just another greedy, corrupt politician. He became like the ones he fought in Activists For Change (A4C). Mpuuga became like the ones he fought and it is tragic to see that in 2024. Decades from the activism and being active in politics, Mpuuga changed and not for the better.

Now he has to decide to sanctioned and loose face. If he fights the NUP Party and stays as Commissioner. He is defying the party that he is a part of and representing. Then his arrogantly not abiding by the principals that he got elected on. Mpuuga will then be a pawn for others and a lackey for the government. That’s because he accepted to take a bribe and defy the opposition party his a part of. That’s not a wise move and brilliant it is not.

Mpuuga can stay behind, but he will not get the “love” or “support” like he did before. That’s because of the supporters NUP has. He cannot be there and represent them when his acting opposite of what the party wants to achieve.

This is why Mpuuga has to choose another path. He either has to start his own party with fellow allies. Become a Masaka based party and try to gain relevance ahead of the 2026 elections. That would be the third party Mpuuga is on the ticket for. The same could be said if he joins the NRM or any other party in existence. You can just wonder if he wants to leave or risk to leave, because the red wave and popularity of the NUP hasn’t ceased since the 2021 election. It would be risky to leave and not having a talisman to cling on too.

Mpuuga is told to be smart, but he could end up walking alone. If he does create his own briefcase party. He would become like Kabuleta and other in the wilderness. There is nothing natural or obvious that he would return on the ticket on his party. That we have seen with Basalirwa who also needed Bobi Wine to get back to Parliament. Therefore, Mpuuga could sacrifice his whole career over 500m shillings.

Just imagine one “service award” was the total destruction of your name and legacy. You took money that wasn’t really yours, while you have lectured about this greed for years. Demonstrated and been on the barricades against people who does this. However, when you got to office, you did exactly the same as the practice you were speaking against. That’s who Mpuuga has become.

A new party either created or joining won’t save Mpuuga. Neither will his intellect. Because his actions are speaking louder than words. Now we just have to see what he decides to do. The defiance isn’t endearing. The silence isn’t strengthening his case either. It just further speculations into what he will do next.

Sooner or later, he will reveal the next step. We can just wonder if he jumps ships or wants to hold on to the NUP. I wouldn’t be shocked if he ducked responsibility and created own party. That’s because it saves his ego and he doesn’t have to held to account on his own. However, then people see how weaselly he moved.

The man can build up a reputation over years, but the same reputation can be destroyed in a heartbeat. That what happened to Mpuuga. Peace.

Opinion: Ssekikuubo MP won’t get a clean slate…

We are having a big problem, we can’t sit here as if nothing wrong has happened. I was amazed that in your communication, you didn’t make a mention of the grave against the institution of Parliament where I belong as a member. I am here as MP and once this House is tarnished the way it is, I can’t sit comfortably there and say we move to other items” (…) Can we have a clarification about the allegations in the media so that we take a corrective decision and clean ourselves. We are taking oversight role on other arms and other institutions of Government, but when it comes to us, we want to hide it under the carpet and it is a shame to this House. What happened?” – Theodore Ssekikuubo (Lwemiyaga County) MP (15.03.2024).

The Parliament Exhibition has unravelled a deep dark secret and actions behind closed doors that people didn’t know about. There been expose of perks, allowances and additional expenditure on High Ranking Officials, Members of Parliament and whatnot.

Today the Parliament Plenary Session was back again, but the Speaker dismissed it as “hearsay” and “rumours”. That Speaker Anita Among would just judge this as a “homosexual” agenda or in that manner. Therefore, using the “anti-gay” bill as an excuse not to be transparent or even accountable.

Ssekikuubo MP is showing some tact and understanding the sentiment of the public. As they are seeing the misuse of office, the mismanagement of funds and how the Parliament is living in a separate reality. While the Republic is suffering and is poor… the MPs and high ranking officials are living lavishly on state reserve.

We can now see that the Speaker and her consultative meeting with the President made her do this. As the President don’t want more drama or big talk. He wants it to be laid to rest, as an investigation or probe into the expenditure could easily undress him too. Because, “confidential funds” and other funds could be suddenly put into question. Therefore, there are a need for this, but we know why they don’t want transparency over it.

If you ever thought the battle against corruption, graft or misuse of office was worthy in the Republic. Sadly it isn’t and there is enough road-blocks for anyone who wants to go down that path. You can release information and dare to be a whistle-blower. However, the IGG, FIA, OAG or any other agency won’t help or find ways to handle this properly.

That’s why the Parliament will not try to look into the allegations or the documents released online. They rather silence it and not talk about it. While blaming the gay-plague…

It is a weird time when the likes of Ssekikuubo MP is a voice of reason. When he speaks sense and wants a clean slate. While the Speaker and the ones in power don’t want to act upon the outcry. That just shows how arrogant and lack of concern of the ones they are serving. This is the message…

We eat and we don’t care, we blame the homosexuals and we shouldn’t talk about this”. Peace.

National Unity Platform (NUP): Public Statement (15.03.2024)

Opinion: Should Bobi Wine let the “journey men” go?

Now that the Parliament Exhibition is undressing several of opposition leaders. It is becoming hot at the National Unity Platform (NUP) Headquarters. This is the aftermath. People are saying the same should happen to the regime and the National Resistance Movement (NRM). However, people expect this to be the case in regards to the NRM, but the opposition should be better. The NRM are known for mismanagement and misuse of office. Therefore, the NUP and other opposition Members of Parliament should act within reason and challenge the NRM. Alas, that is apparently not the case.

Some might say the whole system is rotten and the spoils are there for the taking. Still that doesn’t save the NUP MPs and whoever that is eating regardless. That’s being said… the People Power Movement and the NUP should have seen this comng. They entered an uneven playing field and accepted a broad base of allies. These have used the red-wave and ensured electoral offices.

That being from the likes of Mathias Mpuuga, Medard Ssegona and Abed Bwanika. The DP Block had several of MPs who deserted the previous party and became a part of the NUP. That’s why the NUP suddenly had a bigger fraction and leaders who was seasoned. But that also meant that footsoldiers and activists down the line was cut of from getting nominated to positions in the General Election of 2021.

The Journey Men who joined NUP is now castigated. They are now questioned and the motives of joining NUP was for a meal-ticket. No one should be shocked by that. They needed the NUP and Bobi Wine to be elected. That’s why some has left for the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) and some might create their own parties. There is even talks about Mpuuga and Bwanika creating one as we speak. However, that will be a briefcase party and lack general support.

We can just wonder if there will be people following them. That’s all because of the “service award” and the internal party action against Mpuuga. While Mpuuga has defied the party and been silent about the possible action. The NUP NEC has to act upon it and show face. Nevertheless, there is nothing official yet.

With this in mind… there is tea leaves in the wind, but nothing is certain. Especially, when there is lack of progress or even rumours to settle in. Bwanika is supposed to hold a meeting with his coordinators in Masaka. We don’t know if Mpuuga is shaking it with his stakeholders and trying to forge a way ahead. Regardless of that… they are on the losing end. They have dined with kings and allowed to be out done by their own actions. The greed is destroying them and such.

Not shocking with Bwanika though, he went from singing psalms of “free and fair elections” in 2006 in favour of Museveni. To become an opposition MP. He could easily become a stooge and try to get a way to be in the good graces again.

It would be more shocking of Mpuuga and other DP Block MPs joining in. They would dip from the party that gave them a second life. Mpuuga needed the red wave just like he needed TDA/DP in 2016. That’s why he has searched for the hottest leader to cling on too. If he tries to run alone now. It can cost him his career and his future, but that is maybe lost already in the 500m shillings.

Whatever happens now… there will be questions in the air. Things are lingering without certainties. The NUP Party have to engage and show integrity. Especially, if it wants to be a viable and be for change. The MPs in question have to decide their way forward, especially if the NUP wants to sanction them or clip their wings. That’s within the power of the party and it should act on the greedy guts. This is if the party wants to be difference from the NRM. It is up the NUP NEC and the leadership in general.

Mpuuga can decide to eat and Bwanika can join him. Other former DP Block MPs can do the same and they are within their rights to do so. If they fear transparency and being accountable for your own actions. That’s what representatives should be, but apparently in some regards. That’s too much to ask. Peace.

Opinion: Ssekikuubo MP wants to hold the House accountable…

The Prime Minister is telling Parliament, you can’t sit. This is very strange; Parliament has been captured. This is the Parliament of the Republic of Uganda; it isn’t the branch of the Executive. It isn’t, in my long tenure here, this is strange. Where did Nabbanja get the power to counter-command Parliament? I know we don’t look good, but they shouldn’t take advantage of the vacuum where the Speaker and Deputy Speaker is in disarray” (…) “Even the Commissioners themselves are in hiding. We are here, we are loitering around corridors of Parliament, we can’t see anybody. These are very disturbing issues and we are calling on the Speaker, Deputy Speaker and the Clerk to live up to their calling to restore Parliament. Parliament is being run down” (…) “We can’t now walk with our heads high on the streets of Kampala, we smuggle ourselves and bold out. It isn’t now the best time to be identified as MPs. We are all bundled up, nobody is giving answers, should we all go by rollcall, not me, not me? We are all being castigated and we look bad in the eyes of the public” said Theodore Ssekikuubo (Lwemiyaga County)” (Parliament Watch, 13.03.2024).

The truth is brutal, a man who has been in office and in Parliament since 1995. Ssekikuubo MP knows the ins and out of the regime. He is a part of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and been so for the better part of his life. At one point he even fought against Sam Kuteesa. So, this man has been through the ringer.

This is Ssekikuubo MP are now speaking out as the Plenary Sessions are blocked and there is transparency in regards to the Parliamentary Exhibition. That has reflected badly on the MPs and the high ranking officials. As one of them… Ssekikuubo MP is afraid of his own legacy and being part of it.

He has now a chance to prove himself and show his worth. This is about how the Parliament operates and how it functions. Because now everything is question. That’s the truth and brutally it needs to be assessed.

The spending on the MPs and the Committee’s needs to investigated. There is a need for change and make a difference. The rot needs to uprooted and there is a need for new procedures. Especially, when the MP can reveal that the Prime Minister can block sittings or Plenary Sessions in Parliament. She shouldn’t be able to do so and the Speaker shouldn’t allow it either.

There is a new for a say, to look into the spending and the usage of funds. As there are now revelations of envelopes, perks and expenditure out of the wood-works. There is a need to look into it and arguments behind them. It just seems to be a money spending bonanza. The our turn to eat and enjoy the reserves of the state. That because they can… and everyone is supposed to look the other way.

The Exhibition is just showing the dark side of the Parliament. Mpuuga, the Speaker or Deputy Speaker are just shown to be misusing their offices. That’s what is proven and also the 100 million or 50 millions shillings x2 since December 2023. Therefore, the MPs are getting additional funds on top of the all the salaries and allowances they have. Which means they are getting so much wealth quickly without considering the state of affairs. The state cannot afford proper government services, but suits, vehicles and side-dishes for the MPs.

That’s why Ssekikuubo MP is speaking out. Nevertheless, he will never fill the void and it won’t amount to anything. As there are other above him who has a real say. His just showing finesse, but that won’t change anything. Peace.

Public Square: Public Square letter to Financial Intelligence Authority (FIA) – Request for Information related to Financial Transactions of some staff and the Institution of Parliament of Uganda (12.03.2024)

National Unity Platform (NUP): Letter from Acting Party President Dr. Lina Zedriga Waru to Mathias Mpuuga MP – Notice to Show Cause why the Party should not Recall you as Parliamentary Commissioner (05.03.2024)

Public Square (PS): Public Square Statement Regarding Parliamentary Commission “Service Award” Payments (03.03.2024)

A look into Bobi Wine’s response to Mpuuga…

On 6th May, 2022 there was a meeting of the Parliamentary Commission attended by Ms. Anitah Among, Hon. Mpuuga and the three NRM Commissioners of Parliament. This was two months after Hon. Zaake was illegally removed from that position. In that meeting, these leaders awarded themselves a collective amount of 1.7 billion shillings. Hon. Mpuuga was allocated 500 million shillings, while the three others were each awarded 400 million shillings. It was not until the minutes of the Parliamentary Commission were ‘leaked’ to the public almost two years later, that we all got to know about this” (Bobi Wine, 02.03.2024)

Today is a special day, as the revelations are taking form and there are coherent discussion about the 500 million shillings called “service award” which was given to former Leader of the Opposition, Mathias Mpuuga.

Mpuuga himself has defended himself as a politician and an individual. Though as a tactician and politician, he rather discussed technicalities and not the modalities of his actions. The legality are maybe there, but the justification for the “service award” is another thing. The MP and the LoP should have known better. That’s why the Party he represents and the ones who gave him a ticket in 2021 are asking for him to resign as Commissioner of Parliament. Alas, that is something he won’t do and trying to twist himself out of.

That’s why the Party President Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine have given his reasons for why Mpuuga should resign. I will only take small fragments of the text. Regardless of that. I can say that the merits of Mpuuga is dwindling and he cannot save face. Especially, being a vocal opposition and talking about corruption like he did for years, and now in recent time been eating himself. That just shows the hypocrisy and what he does behind closed doors. Which is in contrast to the message he been spreading since the A4C days.

I like to first take note of this:

1. As all former Leaders of the Opposition have confirmed, none of them ever received a ‘Service Award’. What was special about the service of Hon. Mpuuga to warrant a Service Award that was never given to his predecessors? Secondly, even if Hon. Mpuuga and the three NRM Parliamentary Commissioners had done anything exceptional, would it be up to them to sit and award themselves for a job well done? I mean, it defeats basic logic for anyone to say they are awarding themselves- moreover with hundreds of millions of tax payers’ money. Does that mean that every public servant should now sit in his office and allocate some money to themselves for feeling good about themselves and the work they do?” (Bobi Wine, 03.02.2024)

Let us all bow down for the greatness of Mpuuga. The one and only, the one of a kind, the one that created his own Handshake and abided by it. A man who fought in the trenches against corruption and became alike the people he fought for years. That’s who he became and that’s why he was the worthy one of a “service award”.

We continue…

Second:

6. The LOP like all MPs earns a salary and allowances. However, on top of that, the LOP also earns extra allowances and gets facilitated by Parliament to enable him or her fulfill the duties of that office. What therefore justifies an extra Service Award for an office which is duly facilitated with a budget for its operations, over and above what ordinary MPs earn?” (Bobi Wine, 03.02.2024).

You know you are privileged and has vast funds when it is described like this. The LoP has advantages that other citizens can only dream off. Still, that wasn’t enough for Mpuuga who asked for and was able to get more. He used his office to enlarge his coffers and pockets. That’s why Bobi Wine calls him out and says his wrong, which he should. Bobi Wine is being responsible as a leader and as guardian of the principles, which the NUP party is founded upon. Therefore, Mpuuga has betrayed those and should act accordingly.

Third:

9. We believed that as a Party that nominated Hon. Mpuuga to the position of Leader of the Opposition, we should have been consulted on a matter of this magnitude. Indeed, I regularly speak with Hon. Mpuuga on most major issues. But I also learnt about this matter on social media and initially dismissed it as fake propaganda. I couldn’t believe that my Deputy President would get involved in a matter of this gravity and not say anything about it- not least, to me. When asked why he didn’t discuss this with the Party (or at least the President), he said it was a matter of personal finance! Really?” (Bobi Wine, 02.03.2024).

This reveals a side of Mpuuga that we have no access too. That he could say such a thing about government funds becoming accessible to Mpuuga. It was a way of him of vindicating himself and take away the “problematic” nature of the transaction. Mpuuga knows deep down it is wrong and that’s why it became a “personal finance”. When does a “service award” given without merits or proper justification become personal? It is public funds given to a representative and a part of national legislature. That isn’t a private matter, but a public one from the onset. Which shows how conning Mpuuga have become and what lengths his willing to go for his own interests.

Last point from Bobi Wine:

For these reasons, we believe that this was an extreme act of corruption which Hon. Mpuuga admitted initially and apologized for! It is on record. It was both illegal and immoral, no matter how many heavy words are used to justify it.The moral thing for him to do would be to apologize to the nation and step down from the Parliamentary Commission. That remains his choice” (Bobi Wine, 02.03.2024).

We know now after the interview earlier in the day that Mpuuga will not step down, apologize or follow the recommended way forward. Mpuuga will defiantly stand in the way of the Party and act like his above it. He will only act or says he would if the representatives from the Kingdom of Baganda says so. Meaning the Katikkiro Charles Mayiga or the Kabaka says he should resign. Therefore, absolving himself from the party and only being a citizens under the banner of the King.

It is really telling that his not willing to adhere or follow instructions from the National Unity Platform. Just showing that he used it as a tool to elected and that he doesn’t value the party itself. It was just a necessary device to get him into Parliament in 2021. That’s all that it was worth for Mpuuga. Because, now that times are hard and his shady actions are revealed.

He goes under the skirt of Mengo, thinking it is the saving grace. Alas, his reputation and legacy is soiled. It is destroyed and the Party President further proves it. There is no justification for the “service award” and he should do the right thing. However, it is now proven that Mpuuga cannot do that and is a self-serving individual who only cares about his “personal finances”. Peace.