The Leader of Opposition, (LOP) Joel Ssenyonyi, has denied the ongoing accusations about receiving a service award of UGX650 million from Parliament.
Speaking on Tuesday morning during a media address held in his boardroom at Parliament, Ssenyonyi clarified that the latest service award, which saw each Member of the Parliamentary Commission receive UGX400 million, was the actual focus of the controversy.
According to the LOP, recipients included Prossy Akampulira Mbabazi (Rubanda Woman MP), Mathias Mpuuga Nsamba (Nyendo-Mukungwe), Solomon Silwany (Bukooli Central), and Esther Afoyochan (Zombo Woman MP).
“This money was apparently intended to see them through the campaigns. And to avoid a paper trail, this money was received through the Parliamentary SACCO,” Ssenyonyi said.
He further alleged that some recipients deployed agents to spread false claims that he had received the UGX650 million award.
“These people through their agents have been recently, and specifically last week, spreading propaganda that I also received a service award. Some of you probably saw those things. This is completely false and it is meant to be a cover-up for this second service award that the commissioners gave themselves,” he stated.
Ssenyonyi reiterated that he would refuse any under-the-table funds if they were mistakenly sent to his account.
“Look, even if they sent any such money to my account, I will direct my bank with immediacy to return that money to the sender. Why? Because such under-the-table money is illegal, it is irregular,” he emphasized.
Ssenyonyi was also quick to disclose that his office would not compel the newly installed Inspector General of Government (IGG) Aisha Naluzze Batala to take action on the matter because he believes that just like the predecessor Beti Kamya, no action would be done.
“We condemn this behaviour. Previously, I wrote to the IGG, the then Beti Kamya, over the first service award and she promised that she will come and investigate. She never did,” he told journalists.
“So, I am not going to write to the current IGG because I know for a fact that they will not investigate these matters. They will not pick interest but it is important that we are accountable to the Ugandans. My duty here is to keep the government in check,” Ssenyonyi added.
Last week, Ssenyonyi was at the centre of a controversy following reports that he has allegedly received a Shs 650 million award from Parliament a development that sparked sharp public debate and comparisons to the 2023 scandal that led to the sacking of his predecessor, Hon. Mathias Mpuuga.
Ssenyonyi emphasized his commitment to transparency and accountability, stressing his role in holding the government to account despite the challenges.
