The Inspector General of Government Irene Mulyagonja has confirmed to Members of Parliament that she is investigating some colleagues on the expenditure of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).
Contrary to what some legislators think, the IGG clarified on Wednesday that some of the complaints came from residents of the different constituencies represented in parliament and not from President Yoweri Museveni.
Mulyagonja says the case will not be swept under the carpet but will fully be investigated. She however declined to name some of the legislators under investigation for failure to account for the 10 million shillings received annually in the 8th parliament.
//Cue in: “I have seen ........
Cue out:....to explain.”//
Kibanda County MP Sam Otada put it to the IGG that her office is under pressure to prosecute some MPs as well as putting parliament under pressure to declare vacant seats of some legislators convicted for failure to account for the CDF. So far only one MP has been convicted. In April, Court convicted Bukonzo East MP Yokasi Bihande on his own plea of guilt for presenting false CDF accountability. He was fined 20 million shillings.
Otada is one of the individuals under investigation by the electorate. Through his own sources of information, Otada told his colleagues that three out seven files are ready for prosecution. Others whose files are under investigation include Theodore Ssekikubo, Lwemiyaga MP, Wilfred Niwagaba of Ndorwa East and Buyaga County MP Barnabus Tinkasimire. Although the MPs are aware of the development, Otada urged the IGG not to succumb to political pressure but instead perform her duties as provided for in the constitution.
Cue in: “I also have information....
Cue out:.....to conform to.”//
Tinkasimire also says he is ready for the any outcome of the investigations. He thinks he is a target of political persecution for being outspoken in the ruling NRM party. Tinkasimire is one of the MPs who recently responded to President Museveni’s succession remarks. He is of the view that Museveni needs to leave the presidency race for the young leaders in the party.
Tinkasimire believes that the cases are targeted at people who have challenged the Museveni administration.
// Cue in: “If there is...........
Cue out:.....administration.”//
Until the 9th parliament when CDF was added to allowances of MPs, legislators were given 10 million shillings every year to develop their constituencies.
The CDF stemmed out of Presidential pledges to MPs that were intended to relieve them from the pressures of their voters. The 10 million shillings was intended to develop projects in the constituency.
Guidelines set out by parliament indicated that MPs would use the money on activities that increased household incomes and triggered rural transformation. The guidelines also barred MPs from using the money for political and religious activities.
The amount has drawn controversy as legislators claimed it was too little to cater for the needs of their constituents. Most legislators used such funds to contribute to weddings, funeral arrangements and other donations to voters.
