MPs back Byenkya on graft in House
Jul 15, 2009
SOME MPs have admitted that Parliament is corrupt as noted by one of their colleagues. Others however, disassociated themselves from the allegations and challenged Hoima Woman MP Beatrice Byenkya (NRM) to substantiate her claims.
By Joyce Namutebi
SOME MPs have admitted that Parliament is corrupt as noted by one of their colleagues. Other MPs, however, disassociated themselves from the allegations and challenged Hoima Woman MP Beatrice Byenkya (NRM) to substantiate her claims.
Preaching at the Uganda Christian University in Mukono on Tuesday, Byenkya said some committee chairpersons took bribes to amend resolutions.
Byenkya, a born-again Christian, cited a case where an MP received a bribe of a house valued at sh2b, a car and sh100m.
Reagan Okumu, the chairperson of the committee on state enterprises, said when people say Uganda is corrupt, MPs cannot be an exception.
“It is not only chairpersons who are corrupt, but half of the Parliament,†he said.
Okumu added that when high profile people are appearing before committees over queries, some committee members who do not attend regularly appear to defend them.
“When we go on the floor of Parliament, good committee reports are thrown out because they pin high profile people,†he added.
Without naming anyone, he said some MPs bribed their way to Parliament.
He, however, disagreed with Byenkya’s remark that some chairpersons ‘doctor’ reports.
Kawempe South MP Sebuliba Mutumba (DP) also agreed some MPs were corrupt.
“If we can take sh5m to change the Constitution, it is possible.â€
But the chairperson of the foreign affairs committee, Steven Kaliba and his deputy, Lule Mawiya, challenged Byenkya to name the corrupt MPs.
Mawiya said the sh5m given to the 7th Parliament was not a bribe but money meant to facilitate MPs to carry out consultations on the amendment of the Constitution.
On Tuesday, Mbale Municipality MP Wilfred Kajeke resigned from Parliament, citing corruption.
“If I have this mandate to stop this reckless and irresponsible mortgaging of our country and I cannot do so, then there is no reason for me to continue being in this House,†Kajeke said.
SOME MPs have admitted that Parliament is corrupt as noted by one of their colleagues. Other MPs, however, disassociated themselves from the allegations and challenged Hoima Woman MP Beatrice Byenkya (NRM) to substantiate her claims.
Preaching at the Uganda Christian University in Mukono on Tuesday, Byenkya said some committee chairpersons took bribes to amend resolutions.
Byenkya, a born-again Christian, cited a case where an MP received a bribe of a house valued at sh2b, a car and sh100m.
Reagan Okumu, the chairperson of the committee on state enterprises, said when people say Uganda is corrupt, MPs cannot be an exception.
“It is not only chairpersons who are corrupt, but half of the Parliament,†he said.
Okumu added that when high profile people are appearing before committees over queries, some committee members who do not attend regularly appear to defend them.
“When we go on the floor of Parliament, good committee reports are thrown out because they pin high profile people,†he added.
Without naming anyone, he said some MPs bribed their way to Parliament.
He, however, disagreed with Byenkya’s remark that some chairpersons ‘doctor’ reports.
Kawempe South MP Sebuliba Mutumba (DP) also agreed some MPs were corrupt.
“If we can take sh5m to change the Constitution, it is possible.â€
But the chairperson of the foreign affairs committee, Steven Kaliba and his deputy, Lule Mawiya, challenged Byenkya to name the corrupt MPs.
Mawiya said the sh5m given to the 7th Parliament was not a bribe but money meant to facilitate MPs to carry out consultations on the amendment of the Constitution.
On Tuesday, Mbale Municipality MP Wilfred Kajeke resigned from Parliament, citing corruption.
“If I have this mandate to stop this reckless and irresponsible mortgaging of our country and I cannot do so, then there is no reason for me to continue being in this House,†Kajeke said.