A group of human rights attorneys headed by Peter Mikidi Walubiri and Ladislaus Rwakafuuzi has submitted a comprehensive petition calling for a thorough investigation into the riches and way of life of Speaker of Parliament Rt Hon. Anita Among.
The group claims that since the petition lists several examples of the Speaker and Parliamentary commissioners abusing their positions of authority and leading extravagant lives, a thorough inquiry is required to protect accountability and the rule of law.
The group has requested that the Inspector General of Government (IGG), Beti Kamya and her team conduct a lifestyle audit on the Speaker of Parliament and her husband, Hon. Moses Magogo, who is a beneficiary of taxpayer funds by Parliament superintended over his wife. The group includes Peter Mukidi Walubiri, Mohmed Mbabazi, Ladislaus Rwakafuuzi, George Musisi, Eron Kiiza, Julius Warugaba, Lillian Drabo, Anthony Odur, Peter Arinaitwe, and Phillip Karugaba.
In addition, the petitioners state that a thorough inquiry is required to identify any possible misconduct and to guarantee accountability and openness at the highest levels of government. They stress how crucial it is to protect the rule of law and human rights ideals, regardless of one's standing or power.
The petitioners have outlined certain instances and events in which they believe the Speaker's conduct have violated the moral and legal obligations that come with holding public office.
"#UgandaParliamentExhibition has exposed the following suspicious and very problematic Parliamentary expenditures: a rise in the speaker's daily allowance from USD 900 to USD 4,000; reimbursement for meals during the times the speaker was not known to have been abroad; a 30-day paid leave of absence for the Speaker; An astounding expenditure for corporate social responsibility for a branch of government whose functions are restricted to lawmaking, executive supervision, and public representation. All requests for a response to the charges of financial misuse and mismanagement in Parliament, even those from the Leader of the Opposition, have thus far been met with derision on the floor of Parliament by the Speaker of the House..." reads part of the petition
The group demanded a lifestyle audit on the Speaker of Parliament and her husband Magogo, whom they allege is the immediate taxpayer, as well as a prompt and thorough investigation by the IGG into the Speaker's actions in managing the financial affairs of Parliament and the Parliamentary Commission. They also claimed that the Speaker is scandalous and unfit to lead the august house.
In addition, they demanded that the Speaker and one-third of the MPs be removed from office and that the Independent Genome Group (IGG) look into the Parliamentary Commission's actions for any indication of potential conflicts of interest.
The human rights lawyers involved have stated that they are committed to keeping an eye on this issue and ensuring that the investigation is conducted in an impartial and transparent way.
0 Comments