Nyendo-Mukungwe Member of Parliament, Mathias Mpuuga, has claimed that he has yet to receive the Shs500 million from Parliament designated as his ‘Service Award’.
This cash bonus has prompted reactions from Mpuuga, the National Unity Platform (NUP), the party to which he subscribes, and the public.
During an interview on CBS FM this morning, Mpuuga, the former Leader of the Opposition, stated that he deserves to receive the money.
“I have not received the money, and I am waiting for it because I deserve it. I am not a corrupt person, and I have not misappropriated any taxpayer money. The Parliamentary Commission handled everything legally,” Mpuuga said.
Despite Bobi Wine, the NUP president, issuing a statement this morning disclosing how he convened an urgent meeting of senior party leaders, including all Deputy Presidents, the Secretary-General and Deputy Secretary-General, the current Leader of the Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi, the National Treasurer, Muwanga Kivumbi, and Betty Nambooze, where Mpuuga was strongly advised to step down from the Commission in the public interest because that is what leaders do, and he requested some time to consult with and prepare his family and other stakeholders, which the party agreed to, because it was only fair, Mpuuga claims that there has been no opportunity for the ongoing issues to be handled in a ‘serious manner.’
“No committee sat to decide what has been decided,” he said.
However, he said that they still have time to rectify the mistakes.
“I am not angry with my President because I am innocent, but I cannot allow my reputation to be tarnished, and I remain silent,” he said.
When asked about his next steps after declining to step down as Commissioner of Parliament, Mpuuga said, “The idea that I have plans is free because when I have them, I will announce them.”