LOP Ssenyonyi denies pocketing extra allowances
Mar 22, 2024
“I and Hon. John Baptist Nambeshe – chief opposition whip are scheduled to pay a courtesy call on Muhammad Ssegirinya... who is hospitalised at Aga Khan hospital, Nairobi,” Ssenyonyi argued at the time.
The leader of opposition in parliament Joel Ssenyonyi holding a letter he wrote to the IGG. (Photos by Edith Namayanja)
Dedan Kimathi
Journalist @New Vision
____________________ The opposition presser at parliament on Thursday addressed by Leader of Opposition in parliament Joel Ssenyonyi.
Leader of Opposition in Parliament (LOP) Joel Ssenyonyi has denied pocketing extra allowances.
The development comes on the back of leaked correspondences indicating that Ssenyonyi received an overpayment of shillings 16.5 million per diem two months ago.
A January 31, 2024, letter seen by New Vision Online, shows that he requested permission from Speaker Anita Annet Among to visit ailing Kawempe North MP Muhammad Ssegirinya (NUP) for five days. However, contrary to the plan, he later changed his mind after one day and returned to Uganda prompting speculation that he had eaten free money.
“I and Hon. John Baptist Nambeshe – chief opposition whip are scheduled to pay a courtesy call on Muhammad Ssegirinya... who is hospitalised at Aga Khan hospital, Nairobi,” Ssenyonyi argued at the time.
“The purpose of this letter, therefore, is to inform you and seek permission to be away from 1st February to 5th February 2024. Your consideration in this regard will be highly appreciated,” he added.
Ssenyonyi’s request was cleared on the same day.
Ssenyonyi denies
However, while addressing the media on Thursday, March 21, 2024, Ssenyonyi said although it is true that he altered his programme due to pressing needs back home, the extra balance was returned to the accountability officer in charge of such requisitions.
“We have an accountability office here at Parliament where body passes are submitted, days tabulated, any extra days where you are where you were not meant to be are deducted off your emoluments for the following months,” he said.
He further stated: “I did submit all that because I said I was there for one night, so I should not get paid for 5 days. That process was delayed so the money was not deducted from March emoluments. So I was told that it would be deducted from the April emoluments”.
Following that delay, Ssenyonyi said he withdrew the money in question for four days and deposited the money with the accountability office.
Fast forward, he accused his adversaries who now include, Speaker Anita Annet Among of escapism. Rather, he says, it should be Anita Among who should be held accountable for the misuse of taxpayers' money.
“We understand that the Speaker last year traveled to different countries for six months and received per diem of shillings 2.6 billion. The problem is that; it is not true that the Speaker was away from Uganda for six months. Even when she gave birth, she returned to preside over the house after two weeks. It means that she didn’t travel to some places but received the money,” he said.
“You cannot be in Kigali for the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) games and Nairobi at the same time, it doesn’t make sense. Refund that money because it is taxpayers' money, it is part of being accountable,” Ssenyonyi implored his boss.
He also blames the speaker for inflating the per diem. Ssenyonyi says a Speaker is supposed to receive a daily facilitation allowance of $990 but their findings show that Among pocketed $4000.
Correspondences dated March 20, 2024; show that the Nakawa West MP has written to the Financial Intelligence Authority (FIA) and Inspector General of Government (IGG) concerning suspicious financial transactions, financial irregularities, misappropriation, and misuse of public funds by Speaker Among.
“Furthermore, I request that the investigation be conducted swiftly and impartially with full cooperation from all relevant parties, including the Speaker of Parliament, members of parliament, Clerk to Parliament, Parliamentary officials, financial institutions, and any individuals implicated in these transactions,” copies of the letter state.
“As per the established law, I trust that you are committed to upholding adherence to the rule of law, stamp out criminality, and await your prompt action on this matter,” he further states.
Social media rumors
However, on March 15, 2024, Anita Among told Parliament that she would not run the House based on social media rumors.
Asked to respond to recent social media allegations against Parliament, Among said. “You need answers? I will give you the answers…” Among charged.
“I will never and I'm saying, I will never give you an answer on matters of hearsay, on rumormongering. I am not going to run this House on rumormongering. Me, to answer you on hearsay, on things that you have cooked on social media because I have said no to homosexuality? I will not,” Among said.
This was after Ssenyonyi and Lwemiyaga County MP Theodore Ssekikubo demanded answers against the allegations of corruption, misuse of funds, and irregular recruitment raised on social media.
Among, however, said the Parliamentary Commission will meet and discuss the allegations and report back.
“The Leader of Opposition wrote to me and I replied that we shall have a Commission meeting and discuss these issues and come up with a solution and we shall report back on the findings from the meetings,” she said.
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