UHRC's Wangadya pins three MPs for asking her 5% kickback to increase budget

The High Court's Anti-Corruption Division has commenced hearings of the  corruption case involving three members of Parliament Paul Akamba, Cissy Namujju, and Yusuf Mutembuli—who are facing serious allegations of soliciting bribes.

The case, presided over by Justice Lawrence Gidudu, began with the testimony of the state’s first witness, Mariam Wangadya, the chairperson of the Uganda Human Rights Commission.

Wangadya detailed a troubling series of events that began during her appearance before Parliament’s Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee to present the Commission's budget, which totaled shs500 billion.

She recounted that despite the large sum requested, only shs 19 billion was allocated to the Commission, sparking frustration and concern.

According to Wangadya, the situation escalated when Fox Odoi, MP for West Budama North East, approached her, suggesting that there was someone who could facilitate the approval of the full budget.

This introduction led Wangadya to Yusuf Mutembuli, MP for Bunyole East, who she said demanded a 5% cut of the Commission’s budget in exchange for his assistance in securing the necessary approval.

"He (Yusuf Mutembuli) said that usually all MDAs offer a cut of 5% of their budgets to members of parliament before it is approved as it is and that we should do the same," recounted the UHRC Chairperson.

Mutembuli, according to Wangadya, further requested the contact information of the commission's accounting officer, whom he subsequently called to pressure into accepting the deal.

However, Wangadya and her team refused to comply with these demands.

As the meetings continued, Wangadya was introduced to more  people , including Mudimi Wamakuyu, the then-Deputy Chairperson of the Budget Committee and MP for Elgon County. Wamakuyu, she claimed, echoed Mutembuli’s demands, asking for a 5% cut before the budget could be passed.

"He got a piece of paper and wrote on it 5% and showed it to me," Wangadya told court.

The persistent demands for bribes led Wangadya to contemplate resigning from her position, a step she ultimately decided against after seeking counsel from President Yoweri Museveni.

The president, in response to her concerns, advised her to gather evidence against the MPs.

He provided her with security personnel and recording devices to document the illicit negotiations.

In a subsequent meeting at Hotel Africana, Wangadya testified that she met with Mutembuli, along with MPs Paul Akamba and Cissy Namujju.

It was during this meeting that the demands escalated to 20% of the Commission's budget—a demand that was secretly recorded by Wangadya’s team.

According to Wangadya, the accused told her they "wanted money because the campaign time is drawing close and also  to share with other colleagues on the budget committee."

However, the case encountered a procedural challenge when the state attempted to play the recording in court.

The defense lawyers objected, arguing that Wangadya lacked the technical expertise to verify the integrity of the recording and that it had not been formally submitted as evidence.

After listening to the arguments from both sides, Justice Gidudu adjourned the hearing to Monday,  August, 5 to decide whether the recording should be admitted and played in court.