MP cries foul on kisanja cash
Oct 27, 2004
LWEMIYAGA MP Theodore Ssekikuubo yesterday cried foul, charging that he had been denied a share of sh5m that was dished out to each legislator who reportedly supports the third term (kisanja) and opening up of political space, as facilitation for consultations on the White Paper.
By Henry Mukasa
and Apollo Mubiru
LWEMIYAGA MP Theodore Ssekikuubo yesterday cried foul, charging that he had been denied a share of sh5m that was dished out to each legislator who reportedly supports the third term (kisanja) and opening up of political space, as facilitation for consultations on the White Paper.
Ssekikuubo, during a press conference at parliament yesterday claimed that the kisanja cash was given out by a team headed by parliamentary affairs minister Hope Mwesigye at Mosa Court Apartments.
He alleged that others on the team included the Movement parliamentary caucus chairman, Charles Bakkabulindi and MPs Hanifa Kawooya (Sembabule) and Oliver Wonekha (Mbale).
Ssekikuubo said Mwesigye told him to first clearly state his position on the third term and opening up of political space, at a public rally or press conference.
However, Mwesigye, Kawooya and Bakkabulindi flatly denied giving out any money and said it was news to them.
“That (giving out money) is not my business. I’m not aware of that. Those who told you should tell you more,†Mwesigye said on telephone yesterday.
“Now I am in a lecture. You ring Hope (Mwesigye) to give you a good picture because people don’t understand it (the alleged facilitation),†Bakka-bulindi said.
“I don’t have any money to give out. I am in my constituency. Mosa Court is a hotel and not the Movement secretariat,†quipped Kawooya.
However, Ssekikuubo said although he is a Movement supporter, an NRM promoter and member of its interim mobilisation committee, he felt hinging the money to one’s conscience was “despicable, sad and debasing.â€
The MP said on learning that the money was being given out to “facilitate MPs,†he went to pick his package only to be told that he did not pass the criteria for beneficiaries.
Ssekikuubo said the “cash for support†had cast a black spot on the over 240 MPs who benefited and made “a crisis of confidence,†which would hover over the entire constitutional review process.
“It is sad for an MP to be treated like a cheap prostitute. For how long shall we sell our country?†Ssekikuubo wondered.
He said the money saga rendered credence to the argument of NRM second vice-chairman Bidandi Ssali that MPs were being held hostage with all kinds of promises.
and Apollo Mubiru
LWEMIYAGA MP Theodore Ssekikuubo yesterday cried foul, charging that he had been denied a share of sh5m that was dished out to each legislator who reportedly supports the third term (kisanja) and opening up of political space, as facilitation for consultations on the White Paper.
Ssekikuubo, during a press conference at parliament yesterday claimed that the kisanja cash was given out by a team headed by parliamentary affairs minister Hope Mwesigye at Mosa Court Apartments.
He alleged that others on the team included the Movement parliamentary caucus chairman, Charles Bakkabulindi and MPs Hanifa Kawooya (Sembabule) and Oliver Wonekha (Mbale).
Ssekikuubo said Mwesigye told him to first clearly state his position on the third term and opening up of political space, at a public rally or press conference.
However, Mwesigye, Kawooya and Bakkabulindi flatly denied giving out any money and said it was news to them.
“That (giving out money) is not my business. I’m not aware of that. Those who told you should tell you more,†Mwesigye said on telephone yesterday.
“Now I am in a lecture. You ring Hope (Mwesigye) to give you a good picture because people don’t understand it (the alleged facilitation),†Bakka-bulindi said.
“I don’t have any money to give out. I am in my constituency. Mosa Court is a hotel and not the Movement secretariat,†quipped Kawooya.
However, Ssekikuubo said although he is a Movement supporter, an NRM promoter and member of its interim mobilisation committee, he felt hinging the money to one’s conscience was “despicable, sad and debasing.â€
The MP said on learning that the money was being given out to “facilitate MPs,†he went to pick his package only to be told that he did not pass the criteria for beneficiaries.
Ssekikuubo said the “cash for support†had cast a black spot on the over 240 MPs who benefited and made “a crisis of confidence,†which would hover over the entire constitutional review process.
“It is sad for an MP to be treated like a cheap prostitute. For how long shall we sell our country?†Ssekikuubo wondered.
He said the money saga rendered credence to the argument of NRM second vice-chairman Bidandi Ssali that MPs were being held hostage with all kinds of promises.