Five arrested: Why would an MP be corrupt?

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OPINION

Is it possible that honourable Members of Parliament (MPs) can plan to take part in corruption?

If it is true, are they aware that it is not only morally wrong, but also criminal? Why would they take part in such a vice at the risk of losing their reputation, integrity and seats? Is there a coalition between some legislators and public servants to steal? Is this why the fight against corruption is ineffective? How easy is it to compromise MPs? These and more questions arise after the arrest of MPs over graft. So far, three been committed to the High Court for trial.

Is it possible that MPs who make laws and play an oversight role over the Executive can be corrupt? It is always members of the Executive and their workers that are suspected of graft. Over the years Parliament has censured ministers for abuse of office and grilled public servants. That is what it is supposed to be, but not MPs suspected of corruption.

Cissy Namujju (Lwengo District Woman), Yusuf Mutembuli (Bunyole East) and Paul Akamba (Busiki County) were summoned to the Police, quizzed detained and sent on trial. It is alleged the three offered to influence the budget committee of Parliament to increase the Uganda Human Rights Commission’s (UHRC’s) budget on condition that they get a 20% cut. If found guilty, each will be jailed for 10 years or fined sh4.8m or both. In addition, barred from holding public office for 10 years.

The arrests have dampened the mood in Parliament with speculation of more coming. Media reports put the number at 35.

Two more MPs, Michael Mawanda (Igara West County) and Mudimi Wamakuyu (Elgon County) were arrested over alleged embezzlement of sh164b meant for co-operatives. This brings the number of legislators arrested to five.

However, the MPs are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

That legislators are suspects, raises concerns about integrity and points to two issues: monetisation of politics and considering politics as a career. If being an MP is taken as a money venture, it takes a person of high integrity to resist the temptation of self-enrichment. The allure of political power is also irresistible and encourages a false sense of being untouchable.

Motivated by the status and high pay all sorts of people contest for political positions as a job. Contrary to their campaign slogans of serving the people and bringing about qualitative change in their constituencies, it is mostly to serve their selfish ends, get a job.

If we are to consider being MP as a job, it is a well-paying one. First, you sit with colleagues to determine your salary, you get money to buy a car and you have influence. Then, besides your salary, you are paid a sitting allowance. In other words, you are paid to do a job that you are already paid for. A teacher gets a salary, but doesn’t get separate payments for attending meetings or going into the classroom.

The electorate adores the MP and others envy him or her explaining why at every election the number of competitors increases. Many want to get this well-paying job whose qualification is as low as an A’level certificate.

Party primaries and the elections for MPs have become a do-or-die venture. For this reason, politics is not only violent by highly monetised.

Accusations of corruption in Parliament are not new. In the earlier Parliaments, it was mostly MPs attending conferences outside the august House to earn per diem. Absenteeism was rampant. Some legislators signed the attendance register and walked out of the House to do personal business. Is it possible the bad habits matured into an intricate racket in the 11th Parliament?

In June 2022, New Vision reported that MPs on the accountability committees of Parliament ask for bribes before they sign reports implicating accounting officers for different ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs). The story, under the headline “MPs take bribes to sign reports” quoted Justine Kasule Lumumba, the Minister of General Duties: “An MP says for me to sign a committee report, they must bring something here”. She was speaking at a training seminar for legislators.

Naome Kabahasarira (MP Rushenyi County) at the same function was also quoted as saying: “In the commissions, statutory authorities and state enterprises (COSASE) committee, people talk and even harass MDAs, but when you see the reports what happens is different.”

The Afrobarometer survey of 2022 revealed that 73% of citizens perceive MPs as being corrupt.

In the State of the Nation address on June 6, President Yoweri Museveni said what he had been hearing as rumours, he now had proof about corrupt public servants and politicians. With the information, he said the corrupt were to be crushed, but he dangled an amnesty which was shouted down.

“I don’t know, how we can arrange an amnesty,” he proposed, and the MPs shouted “No” in resounding unison.

“No amnesty, very good,” the President replied smiling. He went on to ask “You want blood?” and repeated in Luganda: “Mwagala musai?” and the excited MPs said yes. “Kale,” he responded.

Commenting on the President’s address, now arrested Wamakuyu said: “Let him (President) facilitate the agencies fighting corruption and empower them. Let the agencies fighting them do their work.” Did he know what was coming? What about the other MPs are they scared and worried they will also be arrested?

X: @dmukholi1