Several Members of Parliament (MPs) are considering their attendance at today’s Budget reading with apprehension, following the recent arrest and remand of three colleagues on charges related to budgetary corruption.
Mr. Stephen Baka, representing Bukooli North under the NRM party, expressed concerns over reports of fellow MPs avoiding the Budget reading out of fear of potential arrest. He highlighted the anxiety among legislators, citing worries that attending the event could lead to legal trouble.
His comments echo sentiments shared privately by other MPs and parliamentary staff to various media outlets, who expressed unease after police announced an expanded investigation into budget-related offenses.
The heightened alarm reportedly stems from the confirmation that numerous security and intelligence leaders, including AIGP Tom Magambo, will be present at today’s Budget reading held at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds in Kampala.
“In Parliament, MPs have immunity which protects them from arrest by security forces,” Mr. Baka reassured. He emphasized that any arrest of MPs must be authorized by the Speaker, underscoring his determination to attend amidst the current climate of uncertainty.
According to insider sources close to the ongoing investigations, individuals under scrutiny include current and former members of Parliament’s Budget Committee, senior parliamentary staff, ministry accounting officers, and top officials from the Ministry of Finance.
Since Monday, Parliament has been somber following the detention of MPs Cissy Namujju (Lwengo District Woman), Yusuf Mutembuli (Bunyole East), and Paul Akamba (Busiki South). These MPs, all affiliated with the ruling NRM party, were remanded to Luzira prison after being denied bail by the Anti-Corruption Court.
The trio’s alleged involvement in corruption has cast a shadow over the credibility of Parliament’s Budget Committee, which plays a pivotal role in scrutinizing national revenue and expenditure estimates before final approval.
President Museveni and Finance Ministry Permanent Secretary Ramadhan Ggoobi have publicly questioned the ethical conduct of legislators in their oversight of budget allocations. Reports dating back to June 2022 have raised concerns about the misuse of public funds by members of the Budget Committee, diverting resources intended for broader community benefit.
Addressing Ugandan diplomats earlier this week, PS Ggoobi reiterated allegations of parliamentarians manipulating budget allocations, thereby disrupting the government’s fiscal priorities.
President Museveni recently criticized what he termed “transactional budgeting,” accusing a syndicate involving Parliament, Finance officials, and accounting officers of inflating budgets for personal gain. This scrutiny culminated in the arrests of MPs Namujju, Mutembuli, and Akamba.
During a court appearance, the prosecution alleged that the detained MPs had solicited bribes to influence budget allocations for the Uganda Human Rights Commission. The legislators denied the charges but were remanded, prompting concerns among their peers about potential similar fates.
Despite Parliament being on recess, MPs present this week have been seen engaging in hushed discussions, reflecting an atmosphere of uncertainty among both political and administrative staff. The predominant question revolves around who might be the next target of arrest amidst the widening investigation.
Adding to the tension are revelations on social media platforms by activists such as Agather Atuhaire and Jimmy Ssentongo (Spire), highlighting suspicious transactions involving taxpayer funds. These disclosures have implicated aides of Speaker Anita Among in financial irregularities, underscoring broader concerns over legislative accountability.
While Speaker Among reportedly stifled attempts by opposition leaders to debate these allegations, President Museveni referenced systemic corruption involving lawmakers in his recent State-of-the-Nation Address. His remarks prompted swift action by law enforcement agencies to apprehend those implicated.
Finance Minister Matia Kasaija is slated to unveil the 2024/2025 Financial Year Budget today, which has seen a significant increase to UGX 72 trillion, sparking debates and concerns among legislators.
Most MPs interviewed indicated their intent to attend today’s Budget reading, despite the controversy. Independent MPs and those from various constituencies voiced mixed sentiments, with some expressing defiance and others abstaining in protest over perceived governance failures.
Otuke East MP Julius Acon affirmed his commitment to attend, emphasizing his accountability to constituents and dismissing concerns about his own conduct. Other MPs, such as Vurra MP Yovan Adriko, echoed similar sentiments, asserting their innocence and commitment to their parliamentary duties.
Former minister and Koboko County MP Baba James Boliba urged MPs not to succumb to fear, emphasizing that attending the Budget reading is both a responsibility and an opportunity to engage in critical national discourse.
In contrast, Pakwach District Woman MP Jane Pacutho emphasized the inevitability of arrest for those under investigation, cautioning against evading accountability.
As tensions persist, Gulu District Woman Representative Sharon Laker and Amolatar MP Agnes Apea lamented the ongoing corruption inquiries, describing the situation as regrettable for Uganda’s democratic institutions.
The Budget reading today is expected to shed light on the path forward amidst these challenges, revealing which MPs are willing to confront allegations head-on and which prefer to remain on the sidelines.
Ugandan MPs Accused of Budget Tampering
Mr. Ramathan Ggoobi, the Permanent Secretary of Uganda’s Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development, has publicly condemned Members of Parliament (MPs) for what he termed as playing “budget games” by manipulating national budget allocations.
Speaking at a retreat for Ugandan ambassadors to East African member states, Mr. Ggoobi highlighted long-standing practices where MPs allegedly alter budget priorities to favor projects in their constituencies at the expense of national developmental needs.
According to Mr. Ggoobi, the process of budget preparation involves identifying key economic growth enablers and allocating resources accordingly. However, he lamented that MPs often intervene during budget reviews to redirect funds towards localized projects such as schools, water points, and bridges, which they claim are critical for their constituencies.
“These budget games have been ongoing for years,” Mr. Ggoobi stated, underscoring that such practices undermine the government’s strategic priorities and financial discipline.
Mr. Ggoobi further elucidated that MPs sometimes exert pressure on government accounting officers to secure additional funds under the condition that a portion is returned to them. He described these actions as detrimental to Uganda’s fiscal integrity and emphasized the ongoing police investigations into allegations of budgetary corruption involving several legislators.
Having been intimately familiar with Uganda’s budget dynamics from his previous research roles, Mr. Ggoobi admitted that these practices were well-known even before assuming his current position. He recounted addressing MPs upon his appointment, warning them about the detrimental effects of such budget manipulations on national development.
Acknowledging Parliament’s constitutional mandate to approve the national budget, Mr. Ggoobi stressed the importance of professionalism in exercising discretionary powers. He reaffirmed his commitment as the head of the Treasury to uphold the executive priorities while ensuring financial transparency and accountability.
