The Leader of Opposition (LoP), Joel Ssenyonyi, has revealed fresh and explosive allegations against four Parliamentary Commissioners, claiming they have "again" awarded themselves substantial service allowances totalling Shs. 1.6 Billion of taxpayers’ money.
Speaking to the media, Mr. Ssenyonyi asserted that the four Commissioners—Mathias Mpuuga (formerly of NUP), Solomon Silwanyi, Prossy Akampurira, and Afoyochan Esther—each received a Shs. 400 million “service award.”
According to the LoP, this latest payment appears calculated to circumvent public scrutiny.
"For avoidance of paper tracing, the money was initiated through the Parliament Sacco," Ssenyonyi alleged, claiming information he is privy to indicates the funds were subsequently picked directly from the Sacco by the said Commissioners.
If the figures provided by Ssenyonyi are confirmed, the Parliamentary establishment would have spent a staggering Shs. 1.6 billion on just these four individuals, compounding the controversy surrounding previous irregular service payments.
Pessimism on IGG Action
Despite stating his information is reliable, Ssenyonyi confirmed he is not prepared to petition the Inspectorate of Government (IGG) again. He expressed pessimism regarding the effectiveness of such institutions, even with new occupants like the recently appointed Aisha Naluzze Batala.
“The inaction of the institutions of government like the IGG is not about the occupants of the office but more about the direction of the state which is unbothered about corruption,” Ssenyonyi stated, suggesting a systemic disregard for accountability.
LoP Dismisses Personal Benefit Claims
The LoP also addressed circulating online rumors suggesting he had personally benefited from a separate Shs. 650 million service award.
Ssenyonyi vehemently dismissed these claims, referring to them as a “cover up for the commissioners who have again braced themselves with a Bonanza.”
He maintained his anti-corruption stance, adding that should any kind of unsolicited service award reach his personal account, he would be open to immediately returning it to the sender.
Parliament and Commissioner Respond
The allegations have drawn sharp reactions from the Parliamentary establishment and one of the accused Commissioners.
Parliament's spokesperson, Chris Obore, strongly refuted the claims:
"No payout was made according to the spokesperson of Parliament."
"He should be transparent let him account for the 2.8bn in his LOP office. He doesn't run a department in the parliament."
"We can't give out service award twice. Face the voters calmly but not blackmailing."
Commissioner Solomon Silwanyi also pushed back against the LoP's narrative:
"Senyonyi should stop the excitement on this money. He just wants to put us in bad light."
The new allegations intensify the scrutiny on financial practices within Parliament, pitting the Leader of Opposition against the Commissioners and the institution's management.