The opposition party National Unity Platform (NUP) has decided to recall embattled legislator Hon. Mathias Mpuuga from his position as a parliamentary commissioner.
This decision comes in the wake of allegations of corruption and abuse of office leveled against Mpuuga, particularly concerning his involvement in allocating 500 million shillings as a service award during his tenure as the leader of the opposition in parliament.
The NUP leadership has been under scrutiny for the past month over allegations of corruption and internal discord.
While NUP accuses Mpuuga of engaging in corrupt practices and misusing taxpayers’ money, a section of the party claims that these accusations stem from jealousy and animosity.
In a statement released by the acting president of NUP, Dr. Lina Zedriga Waru, the National Executive Committee (NEC) discussed Mpuuga’s response to the allegations and found it unsatisfactory.
Despite being asked to justify his actions, Mpuuga failed to provide a convincing explanation and did not address the specific accusations against him.
As a result, “NEC has decided to recall him from the Parliamentary Commission due to corruption, dishonesty, and abuse of office”.
The statement also announced the nomination of Hon. Zaake Francis Butebi as the new Parliamentary Commissioner.
Zaake’s nomination is seen as a response to the questionable dealings of the Parliamentary Commission, and his reinstatement is viewed as a challenge to the leadership’s authority.
While legally challenging to remove Mpuuga as commissioner without a house vote, the move signals ongoing tensions within NUP.
The ongoing strife within the party, exacerbated by the Uganda Parliament Exhibition, has led to divisions, with accusations of witch hunts and leadership shortcomings.
The reinstatement of Hon. Zaake and the impending motion to censure the Speaker for alleged corruption indicate a defiant stance by certain factions within NUP.
The relationship between Zaake and Speaker Anita Among remains strained, with past conflicts over his appointment as commissioner and subsequent impeachment attempts.
