MP Ssekikubo Scores Major Win with Censure Motion

Lwemiyaga County MP Theodore Ssekikubo is basking in the glory of what he calls a signature coup. On July 25, 2024, Ssekikubo, sporting the confident grin of someone who just won the village soccer match, proudly announced that he had secured 177 signatures for his censure motion against four fellow backbenchers.

The celebrated quartet includes Mathias Mpuuga (Nyendo-Mukungwe, NUP), Prossy Akampurira (Rubanda District Woman MP, NRM), Solomon Silwany (Bukhooli Central, NUP), and Esther Afoyochan (Zombo District Woman MP, NRM). These legislators are under fire for allegedly awarding themselves a hefty sh1.7 billion in honoraria, a sum large enough to buy a fleet of boda bodas or fund a small village’s annual supply of sugar.

In true Ugandan fashion, the honoraria scandal has drawn parallels to the legendary tales of the Baganda kings, who were known for their opulent lifestyles. Mpuuga, the lone opposition member among the bunch, reportedly pocketed sh500 million, while the others reportedly took home sh400 million each. If this were a local bazaar, these figures would be the talk of the town, like the latest fashion from Kampala’s famed markets.

Ssekikubo, flanked by his parliamentary sidekick Jackson Atima Buti Lee (Arua City Central, NRM), addressed journalists with the flair of a drum-major leading a victory parade. He reveled in the fact that his success in gathering signatures had given a boost to his colleagues, who had previously feared the wrath of their accused counterparts like a chicken afraid of a hungry hawk.

“Imagine! This is like hunting in the thick forests of Mityana. We had to go all out, like chasing after the elusive lion, to get those signatures,” Ssekikubo quipped. “Now that we’ve caught the beast, we’re just waiting for the final touches. We had to keep the window open because some colleagues were like ‘don’t submit yet, I’m on my way, just finishing up a bit of posho!’”

Ssekikubo’s journey to secure signatures was nothing short of an epic adventure. Much like a local trek through the rugged hills of Kabale, his team faced challenges as many MPs retreated to their constituencies after the House was adjourned. The MPs, like wary hunters in the wild, were elusive, hiding from the signature-collecting crusade.

In a letter dated June 24, 2024, to Clerk of Parliament Adolf Mwesige, Ssekikubo described his situation with a tone that might have reminded some of the local hustle during harvest season. “We need a vehicle and fuel to chase down these signatures,” he wrote. “It’s like setting out on a boda boda trip across the country, but this time we’re hunting for signatures instead of customers.”

Despite the hurdles, Ssekikubo’s efforts have provided a glimmer of hope for those fighting against corruption. His rallying cry for additional signatures has been met with responses from MPs like a call to join a local feast, where every participant adds their bit to the celebration.

One can only hope that this political drama will lead to more than just a full signature book. Perhaps it will inspire a new generation of Ugandan leaders, ready to tackle corruption with the same fervor as a local football team gearing up for a major tournament.

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