Speaker Among Defends MP Namujju Amid Corruption Charges

Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among has defended Lwengo District Woman MP Cissy Namujju, who is facing corruption charges. The Speaker expressed her defense while speaking to residents of Lwengo District on Saturday, 22nd June.

This was during the launch of the Ssentaayi Foundation, an initiative of Muhammad Muyanja Ssentaayi, the MP for Bukoto West Constituency. The Speaker confirmed that she had spoken to Namujju, who has been in prison for close to a fortnight.

While giving her speech, she told the Lwengo residents that they are better off having an MP who shares proceeds of irregular business with them.

Speaker Among also revealed that President Museveni is supportive of Namujju.

“The President [Museveni] has heard your cries and as you know, when a child misbehaves, you beat and say go back and do something good” – Speaker Among.

The event attracted numerous MPs who also offered their support to the embattled MP. Rakai District Woman MP Juliet Kinyamatama and Kasambya County’s David Kasambya also delivered a similar message. According to the duo, there’s no fault in tampering with taxpayers’ money if one is sharing with the electorate.

Namujju’s woes

MPs Cissy Namujju, Yusuf Mutembuli, and Paul Akamba have been in prison since 12th June when the Anti-Corruption Court remanded them. Hon. Mutembuli and Akamba represent Bunyole East and Busiki County, respectively.

They were charged with corruption before the Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala for soliciting a bribe from Executive Director of the Uganda Human Rights Commission, Mariam Wangadya.

According to the charge sheet, the MPs allegedly solicited from Ms. Mariam Wangadya, the Chairperson of the Uganda Human Rights Commission, a cut from the entity’s budget on May 13, 2024. Under this understanding, the MPs would pocket 20% of an enhanced Human Rights Commission budget.

The arrests came hardly a week after President Museveni confirmed that he had evidence of a corruption racket at Parliament. According to the President, this racket includes staff at Parliament and the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.

Since the President’s revelations, five MPs have been arrested on corruption-related charges. Igara East’s Michael Mawanda and Elgon County’s Ignatius Mudimi joined Akamba, Namujju, and Mutembuli in prison this week.