The National Unity Platform (NUP) has recalled former Leader of the Opposition, Mathias Mpuuga, from the parliamentary commission, a position he has served for barely three months.
In a statement dated March 15, the acting NUP president, Lina Zedriga Waru, said that Mpuuga sent his response regarding the allegations of corruption and abuse of office against him to the party. The response was then analyzed by the National Executive Committee (NEC), the party’s top decision-making organ.
However, Zedriga stated that Mpuuga did not provide a satisfactory explanation for engaging in the ‘crimes’ against him.
“In light of this, NEC has recalled Hon. Mpuuga from the parliamentary committee on account of corruption, dishonesty, and abuse of office, and Parliament will be informed about the same,” reads the statement in part.
The statement further adds that Mityana Municipality MP Francis Zaake has been nominated to replace Mpuuga.
“His nomination was informed by the fact that he was illegally removed from that role in March 2022 to pave the way for the grand corruption and questionable dealings of the Parliamentary Commission that have come to light,” reads the statement.
It is important to note that there is no provision within the law or the rules of procedure of parliament that allows a political party to recall a commissioner. A commissioner can only be voted out by members of parliament.
Meanwhile, the NUP-Mpuuga standoff started when the party asked him to step down from his current position as parliamentary commissioner, accusing him of corruption and abuse of office.
In response, Mpuuga declined to step down, explaining that the said Shs500 million ‘Service Award’ money was granted to him by the Parliamentary Commission as gratuity, and thus he cannot be accused of any crime.