Aruu MP names ‘bribed’ legislators
Apr 23, 2008
ARUU MP Odonga Otto yesterday named six MPs, whom he claimed were paid by the foreign affairs ministry to pass a sh55b supplementary budget for Commonwealth summit in November last year.
By Mary Karugaba
ARUU MP Odonga Otto yesterday named six MPs, whom he claimed were paid by the foreign affairs ministry to pass a sh55b supplementary budget for Commonwealth summit in November last year.
The MPs, Otto said, received sh170m from the ministry’s permanent secretary, James Mugume. He named the MPs as Ibrahim Kaddunabbi (Butambala), William Okecho (Tororo), Hashaka Kabahweza (Kamwenge), William Wopuwa (Bubulo), Rose Akol Okullu (Bukedia) and William Nsubuga (Buvuma).
But the MPs denied receiving the money and challenged Otto to prove the allegations.
Otto was appearing before the parliamentary disciplinary committee to substantiate the claims he had made earlier in February on the floor of the House.
“Mugume gave Kaddunabbi sh150m, promising to release the balance after the supplementary budget was passed.
However, things went out of hand when Kaddunabbi mounted pressure on Mugume to release the balance,†Otto told a packed committee room.
Efforts to reach Mugume were futile.
“The money was supposed to be picked by Okecho but being a senior civil servant, he opted to leave Kadunabbi to get into the trap. The MPs said it was allowance but I say it was a bribe since it contravenes our rules of procedure.â€
Otto did not produce any tangible evidence apart from the statement he read to the committee.
“I am sacrificing my life by coming here to testify against my fellow MPs. How many can do it,†Otto asked when MP Peter Nyombi demanded that he substantiates the allegations.
Otto alleged that Mugume, failing to take the pressure, complained to MP Perez Ahabwe. Otto requested that Ahabwe be summoned to the committee.
The Aruu MP also claimed that whereas the money was meant for all the committee members, “only few received it.â€
Otto said while having lunch with MP Owor Otada, he heard Wopuwa say he had received sh2m from Kaddunabbi. Efforts to reach Wopuwa were futile.
The committee also heard that Nsubuga, who was given sh500,000, reported the matter to Aswa MP Reagan Okumu.
According to Otto, Okumu advised Nsubuga to file a complaint with the public accounts committee.
He said Okumu should be summoned.
MPs Wilfred Nuwagaba, Alex Ochieng and Kiyingi proposed that Otto should not be questioned until all the named MPs were summoned.
Ahabwe refused to comment, saying he would testify before the committee.
“The chairman has contacted me and said I need to testify. Wait until I appear before the committee.â€
Kaddunabbi and Okecho denied receiving the money.
“I don’t know anything about the allegations. Let Otto bring evidence. If he doesn’t, he should be disciplined,†Kaddunabbi said.
Okecho, between bouts of laughter, said: “Sorry, I don’t know about that. Let him prove the allegations. My integrity is far far above that.â€
ARUU MP Odonga Otto yesterday named six MPs, whom he claimed were paid by the foreign affairs ministry to pass a sh55b supplementary budget for Commonwealth summit in November last year.
The MPs, Otto said, received sh170m from the ministry’s permanent secretary, James Mugume. He named the MPs as Ibrahim Kaddunabbi (Butambala), William Okecho (Tororo), Hashaka Kabahweza (Kamwenge), William Wopuwa (Bubulo), Rose Akol Okullu (Bukedia) and William Nsubuga (Buvuma).
But the MPs denied receiving the money and challenged Otto to prove the allegations.
Otto was appearing before the parliamentary disciplinary committee to substantiate the claims he had made earlier in February on the floor of the House.
“Mugume gave Kaddunabbi sh150m, promising to release the balance after the supplementary budget was passed.
However, things went out of hand when Kaddunabbi mounted pressure on Mugume to release the balance,†Otto told a packed committee room.
Efforts to reach Mugume were futile.
“The money was supposed to be picked by Okecho but being a senior civil servant, he opted to leave Kadunabbi to get into the trap. The MPs said it was allowance but I say it was a bribe since it contravenes our rules of procedure.â€
Otto did not produce any tangible evidence apart from the statement he read to the committee.
“I am sacrificing my life by coming here to testify against my fellow MPs. How many can do it,†Otto asked when MP Peter Nyombi demanded that he substantiates the allegations.
Otto alleged that Mugume, failing to take the pressure, complained to MP Perez Ahabwe. Otto requested that Ahabwe be summoned to the committee.
The Aruu MP also claimed that whereas the money was meant for all the committee members, “only few received it.â€
Otto said while having lunch with MP Owor Otada, he heard Wopuwa say he had received sh2m from Kaddunabbi. Efforts to reach Wopuwa were futile.
The committee also heard that Nsubuga, who was given sh500,000, reported the matter to Aswa MP Reagan Okumu.
According to Otto, Okumu advised Nsubuga to file a complaint with the public accounts committee.
He said Okumu should be summoned.
MPs Wilfred Nuwagaba, Alex Ochieng and Kiyingi proposed that Otto should not be questioned until all the named MPs were summoned.
Ahabwe refused to comment, saying he would testify before the committee.
“The chairman has contacted me and said I need to testify. Wait until I appear before the committee.â€
Kaddunabbi and Okecho denied receiving the money.
“I don’t know anything about the allegations. Let Otto bring evidence. If he doesn’t, he should be disciplined,†Kaddunabbi said.
Okecho, between bouts of laughter, said: “Sorry, I don’t know about that. Let him prove the allegations. My integrity is far far above that.â€