The ongoing collection of signatures for the motion to censure four Parliamentary Commissioners including the former Leader of Opposition, MP Mathias Mpuuga, has exposed the true characters of Opposition legislators in the 11th Parliament.
The commissioners are accused of participating in a meeting where they awarded themselves a total of UGX 1.7 billion.
Whereas some legislators argue that the money was in the 2023–2024 budget, the public has been left with many unanswered questions, wondering how and why the money was given out on a personal-to-holder basis.
MP Ssemujju Nganda of Kira Municipality, known for his vocal sarcasm in the house and usually castigating President Museveni for allegedly protecting and shielding the corrupt relatives, has shocked the public by declining to append his signature.
In a rare twist of character, MP Ssemujju (FDC) claimed he cannot betray Mpuuga since they have tight friends for more than two decades and so he cannot participate in crucifying him.
Nganda and other opposition legislators have exhibited the highest level of double standards, something that raises doubt on whether the Parliament has the willingness to fight corruption, a vice that has finished the taxpayers’ money.
MP Asuman Basalirwa of Bugiri Municipality, also a renowned anti-corruption activist did not just reject to sign the censorship motion but has threatened to sue the movers of the motion.
The behavior of these opposition politicians towards fighting corruption, coupled with the leaked documents showing how they have participated in swindling tax payers’ money, portrays a lack of principle and values.
They are focused on individualism, friendship, tribalism, and selfish interests. MP Ssemujju Nganda was vocal about the iron sheet saga and would not miss mentioning it in the house.
Will he still have the moral authority to talk about corruption after defending his corrupt friends?
Time and again, Ugandans have been betrayed by opposition leaders. These leaders do not practice what they preach; instead, they act more badly than the party in power that they oppose.
The opposition in Uganda is more corrupt, selfish, and dictatorial; they fight for positions and connive with some untrusted NRM members to swindle taxpayers’ money. When it comes to money, they speak the same language.
They have failed to be better than NRM, and that is the reason NRM has been winning the elections.
The current internal fights for resources and positions, opposition parliamentarians condoning corruption, as well as opposition leaders promoting sectarian politics and radicalizing the youth, are enough to have Ugandans lose trust in the opposition and vote for NRM, which has proved to be a lesser evil. ”A bird in hand is worth two in the bush.”