In a new development, the Presidential Press Unit has come out to inform the general public that the letter dated May 3, 2024, purportedly from President Museveni and addressed to the Attorney General, is fake. In the press release dated May 13, 2024, the unit said that the letter is forged and should be ignored.

The letter in question started circulating on Sunday evening, May 12, 2024, and was later published by most media houses. The letter instructed the Attorney General to find out the legality of the service awards.

“How can Parliamentary Commissioners who apparently earn more than other MPs award themselves all that money? What special services did they provide? Who approved the awards?” the letter read in part.

However, the letter was timely and excited citizens since the president has been silent ever since the Parliamentary Commission money heist in the name of service awards was reported. The purported letter had raised the hopes of Ugandans, who were happy to see the president ready to act, only to be told the letter was fake.

On several occasions, President Museveni has been silent when serious corruption scandals are unearthed. The current looting at parliament has been extraordinary, and all Ugandans expect a word from him. The letter had come in as a savior at the right time.

If it is indeed forged, who will release the authentic one, and what is President Museveni’s take on the issue of around UGX 1.7 billion? Does it mean that the president supports the scandal and has nothing to say about it? The public had recently developed hopes since he has been talking about how the NRM government is ready to wipe out corruption.

Assuming that an authentic letter is not released with Museveni’s view on the current corruption scandals in Parliament, it will escalate the already damaged image of the NRM at a time when the election period is approaching and the party that has been in power for 40 years has to be held accountable.

The Parliamentary Commission, like other scandals, is an example of how government officials have stolen taxpayers’ money with impunity since they know both President Museveni and the relevant authorities put in place to fight corruption will not touch them. It is a disgrace and very unfortunate for both the opposition and the NRM supporters struggling to make ends meet, and it will have an effect on the outcome of the 2026 elections.

It is disheartening how the top public servants have concentrated more on stealing and enriching themselves than service delivery. The parliament that is supposed to cater for the interests of the common Ugandan has turned into a house of deals and a bottomless pit to finish the tax payers’ money with no tangible development. The bloated house with the worst debates in the region has become a shame to this country, and this is the right time for the president to come out and act; otherwise, the hard-earned good NRM image will have an indefensible future. If the letter is indeed fake, an authentic one should come for the public to have peace and trust in the NRM.