The Leader of Opposition in the 11th Parliament, Mathis Mpuuga, has said all opposition Members of Parliament implicated in the embezzlement of the UGX164 billion cooperatives money should face the law as individuals, not as institutions.

Mpuuga made these remarks on December 20, 2023, while presenting an update on the opposition’s performance during the year 2023 at Parliament.

“I cannot sympathize with opposition MPs implicated in embezzlement because their actions were for individual gain, and these people should be able to face the law, and whoever has questions should direct them to the individuals mentioned,” Mpuuga said.

He added that corruption is an individual’s problem, not the institution’s, and those implicated should face the law single-handed.

“So all those reports from Parliament where individuals have been indicated should be able to face the law on their own and not parliament,” he added.

Mpuuga blamed the law for the confusion in the public about the handover of posh cars to former Speakers, and he urged Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka to issue a legal interpretation clarifying whether individuals perceived to have retired from their former offices but are drawing salaries from their current public offices, like Rebecca Kadaga and Edward Ssekandi, are entitled to get these retirement packages.

“At what stage must one take the benefit of these perks? I think it is a question of interpreting the law; can someone take a benefit when they still have the lien on the public purse? That is the question that the legal minds must break down,” Mpuuga added.

The State Minister for Trade, Harriet Ntababazi, revealed that up to 30 legislators are facing criminal investigation over their alleged role in the embezzlement of UGX164Bn meant for compensation to cooperative societies, and the director of criminal investigations has picked some files for further investigations.