Opposition commends NRM MPs in fight against corruption

By Fred Turyakira

THE Rukungiri Municipality Member of Parliament, Roland Mugume Kaginda (FDC) has praised NRM party MPs for joining the opposition in the fight against corruption in the country. 

“The ninth parliament is working as a team in the fight against corruption regardless of the various political party affiliations and this is a big achievement for us to work as a team to fight this vice unlike in the past,” Kaginda said.

Kaginda, who is also the Rukungiri district Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Party chairperson, dismissed the allegations that they were bribed to tarnish the names of the ministers involved in the oil bribery allegations as lies, saying God was behind the unity of NRM Party MPs and opposition to fight corrupt officials for the development of the country.

Kaginda said this during a press conference at Grand Holiday Hotel in Mbarara town on Saturday. 

He added that they were not witch-hunting the ministers Amama Mbabazi, Hillary Onek and Foreign affairs minister, Sam Kahamba Kutesa involved in the oil bribery allegations but were in the interest of saving the nation against corrupt ministers.

“Am surprised there are allegations that we are witch hunting them. I don’t know Mbabazi and he is not my opponent or my voter, why should I fight him. We are working for the nation and let everyone carry their own cross. They should step aside and explain to the public how they were bribed and sold our oil.” Kaginda said.

He was optimistic that many NRM members will soon cross to the opposition side and follow former NRM strong cadres Col. Dr. Kiiza Besigye, Col. Amanya Mushega, Maj. Gen. Gregory Mugisha Muntu, all in FDC and others if the president continued protecting the corrupt ministers and other government officials.

“I see the boat sinking  if president Museveni keeps on protecting Amama Mbabazi, Kutesa and Onek in this matter, there is likelihood of NRM party members exodus joining opposition either FDC party or forming  their own because they have seen enough,” Kaginda explained.

He called upon the president to fulfill his pledge of fighting corruption during the state of nation address for development of the country.

“President Museveni called the public to join him in the fight against corruption and I want him to fulfill his pledge and leave the suspected corrupt officials to carry their own cross” he added.

Vicent Mujuni Kyamadidi, the Rwampara county MP (NRM), also told New Vision on Sunday that  he wants the president to distance himself from the ministers involved in oil bribery debate.

“I respect President Museveni as my president and my party chairperson but I don’t want him to protect the suspected corrupt ministers until their issues were resolved,” Kyamadidi advised.

Kyamadidi added that they were also investigating funds that were given to university leaders and student leaders from other institutions to organize demonstrations in support of the embattled ministers.

 That said, Police has decided to continue sensitizing the public although the battle seems far from over.