Members of Parliament have said President Museveni’s revelation on corruption in the country is reassuring towards ending the vice.
The President while delivering the State of the Nation address at a Parliament session held at Kololo Airstrip said that to achieve aims of building the economy, they must defeat corruption which starts from the Ministry of Finance, that add in things that are not there. Earlier this year, the Budget committee was shocked to find that the 481 billiin Shillings which Finance minister Matia Kasaija was vigorously requesting to be approved for recapitalisation of the central bank was not required and had not been asked for.
Committee members were stunned when the Deputy Governor Bank of Uganda Dr Michael Atingi-Ego reported that the Bank had never requested for the money and in any case did nit require it because int financial status was health as it had even declared a ‘modest’ profit of 40 billion shillings in the previous financial year.
The budget committee was further shocked to find 38 billion shillings requested in the budget but without ant item attached to it.
President Museveni has told parliament that these blotted projects go to Ministries, then to the committees of Parliament whose members he warned to watch out and then to the Auditor General were there is collusion with agents all the way.
Now Members of Parliament have welcomed Museveni’s commitment to fight the vice of corruption, with some saying since he knows where the problem is, it is possible to get the culprits.
On security, the MPs said that although the President has assured Ugandans that the people who made an attempt on former Minister of Works Gen Katumba Wamala’s life will be caught, there is need for more action than words.
Noah Wanzala Mutebi, the MP for Nakasongola says that the President’s statement on corruption was a warning to many people that he mentioned including Government agencies.
On security, Wanzala says that he needs a report that the killers have been arrested, and not talk about clues.
Ibrahim Kyoto Mululi, the Budiope West MP welcomed the address especially on security and corruption. He says that insecurity chases away investors, and corruption kills the economy.
Christine Akello, the Erute North MP says that the key thing the President addressed was the issue of corruption since it starts from up downwards. She says that the key thing affecting Ugandans is the vice of corruption.
The MP Rukungiri Municipality Elisa Rutahigwa says Museveni’s move on parish development model will be one of the ways to fight corruption since the money comes directly down.
Pece Laroo MP Charles Onen says that Ugandans were waiting for assurance, and the President did it.
Ronald Balimwezo the Nakawa East MP says the President spoke well about corruption, but it is shocking that the issue starts from the Ministry of finance.
On security, Balimwezo says that the President should act instead of just making statements.
Fred Kayondo the Mukono South MP however says that the President repeated himself, and he made some statements which were not so convincing.
Kampala Woman MP Shamin Malende says that the President left several issues that concerns Uganda out of his speech. She says Ugandans are in jail for political reasons, and the democracy challenges are still overwhelming.
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