The opposition Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) party has commended the ruling National Resistance Movement (NDM) government for taking tough actions against corrupt officials in the country.

This stemmed from the recent arrest of three legislators accused of interfering with the national budgetary processes by demanding a kickback.

While addressing the media at Uganda House in Kampala on July 19, 2024, UPC party spokesperson Arach Oyat Sharon said they are happy with the recent arrests of three MPs on corruption charges, saying this shows goodwill in the fight against corruption.

“The arrests were timely and are welcome, but as UPC, we want to remind the government and all security agencies to be very mindful of the right procedures of the law in handling the suspects and convicts, Arach said.

Last week, three MPs were arrested on charges of corruption, including Yusuf Mutembuli (Bunyole East), Paul Akamba (Busiki County), and Cissy Namujju (Lwengo District Woman).

The trio have been committed to the High Court for trial after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) said police had concluded their investigations into the case.

According to the charge sheet, the MP’s were arrested for soliciting bribes as they claimed they could influence the Uganda Human Rights Commission budget before Parliament.

MP Akamba was earlier granted a cash bail of 13 million shillings by Chief Magistrate Joan Aciro, who also ordered him to deposit his passport with the court.

However, shortly after fulfilling the bail conditions, plainclothes armed personnel grabbed him and had him rearrested as he exited the court premises, flanked by his supporters who screamed for his freedom.