During Rt. Rev. Jjumba’s fifth anniversary celebration as bishop at Our Lady of Sorrow Cathedral-Kitovu on Saturday, the absence of local legislators Mathias Mpuuga and Dr. Abed Bwanika surprised many Christians in attendance. The two MPs did not attend the event, nor did they send representatives, sparking speculation and concern among the congregation.
“We usually see our MPs at Kitovu whenever the diocese organizes an event. Sometimes they even attend the weekly Sunday Mass, but I am surprised that on such a big event, none has shown up,” remarked Ms. Christine Namazzi, a parishioner, after the function.
Interestingly, Mr. Joseph Ssewungu (Kalungu West MP) from neighboring Kalungu District was present and was invited to speak on behalf of the local legislators. Other MPs from the Greater Masaka region, including Mr. John Paul Mpalanyi (Kyotera County), Ms. Veronica Nanyondo (Bukomansimbi District Woman MP), and Ms. Pauline Kemirembe (Lyantonde District Woman MP), also attended the event.
Former Vice President Mr. Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi, Mr. Haruna Kasolo, the state minister in charge of Microfinance, Mr. Vincent Ssempijja, the Presidential Advisor on Defence, and Masaka City Mayor Ms. Florence Namayanja were among the notable attendees.
Since Mr. Mpuuga fell out with the National Unity Platform (NUP) leadership over the controversial ‘service award,’ he and other politicians supporting him have avoided key events in Masaka, possibly to prevent backlash from NUP supporters. NUP considers Masaka a stronghold, with many leaders at various levels belonging to the party.
Explaining his absence, Mr. Mpuuga, a prominent political figure from Masaka, stated that he had other important engagements outside Masaka City despite receiving an invite from the Diocese. “I am out of town [Masaka] and Church officialdom is aware. You mean I had to inform Daily Monitor?” he asked.
Mr. Mpuuga, a commissioner of Parliament, is currently in conflict with the NUP leadership, which has accused him of corruption. The dispute stems from a service award of Shs1.7 billion from Parliament, which he and three other commissioners from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) awarded themselves in May 2022. At that time, Mr. Mpuuga, who was the Leader of Opposition in Parliament, received Shs500m, while the other commissioners, Prossy Mbabazi Akampulira (Rubanda District Woman MP), Esther Afoyochan (Zombo District Woman MP), and Solomon Silwanyi (Bukooli Central MP), received Shs400m each.
The NUP leadership described the service award as corruption and abuse of office, demanding that Mr. Mpuuga resign as a commissioner and apologize to Ugandans for alleged corruption and betrayal. Mr. Mpuuga rejected the call to resign, asserting that he deserved the one-off award and that it was not criminal.
In his address, Bishop Jjumba expressed gratitude to those who have supported him during his pastoral journey. During his five years as the episcopal leader of Masaka Diocese, Bishop Jjumba has created new Catholic parishes and deaneries, conserved the environment by planting indigenous trees, and strengthened cooperation between the diocese and the central government.
“I thank all of you who have been part of this journey. We have managed to move this far just because of your unwavering support. I pray that the grace of God continues to guide us,” he said.
Bishop Jjumba, 62, succeeded the late John Baptist Kaggwa on July 6, 2019. Bishop Kaggwa had served the diocese for 25 years.
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