Leader of the Opposition (LOP) Mathias Mpuuga has spoken out on claims by his party president Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine, that each MP is being bribed with Shs100 million for passing the recent Shillings 3.5 trillion supplementary budget. Mpuuga stated that it’s the National Unity Platform (NUP) MPs, through the shadow finance minister, Muwanga Kivumbi, who raised what he called a red flag on the passed supplementary budget.
Speaking during a press conference at the NUP party headquarters in Makerere-Kavule on Tuesday, Bobi Wine warned NUP MPs to be cautious about the allegations that they are going to be bribed with Shs100 million.
In response, Mpuuga has confirmed that they are aware of the said bribery plot as the money was passed in the supplementary budget. He further said that as NUP members, they have raised a red flag to the opposition MPs.
“We don’t expect any member of the opposition to get that money. If we get it in our accounts, our expectation is that we return it to the sender; if we get it in cash, please reject it,” he said.
However, Chris Obore, the director of communications at parliament, denied the allegations, terming them disrespectful.
“A supplementary budget comes with specific items to be funded, except for classified items, which are provided in law. Parliament exists to facilitate the government to do work, and after scrutinizing the supplementary, MPs passed it. To impute that MPs passed it because there is Shs100m for each of them is to disrespect MPs unnecessarily,” said Obore.
He added, “The institution of parliament should not be tainted at the altar of toxic and unproductive political games. MPs need to be accorded some respect as individuals trusted by their constituents.”