NUP fronts Zaake to replace Mpuuga as Commissioner of Parliament

Kampala, (UG):- The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the National Unity Platform (NUP) has resolved to recall from his position as commissioner of Parliament, Hon Mathias Mpuuga and nominated Mityana Municipality MP, Francis Zaake to replace him henceforth, DailyExpress understands.

The development just days after the elapse of the ultimatum issued to the Nyendo-Mkungwe MP last week to defend himself against charges related to corruption, dishonesty and abuse of office during his term as Leader of Opposition in Parliament.

In a press statement posted by NUP via its official account on X (formerly Twitter), Dr Zedriga Lina Waru, the Acting Party president announced that the decision to recall its deputy president (Buganda region) from the parliamentary commission came after he allegedly failed to provide any satisfactory explanation for engaging in the “irregular allocation” of “service awards” worth over Shs1.7bn to commissioners of parliament, which reportedly goes against the party’s mission, values and objectives.

Although Mpuuga responded to NEC’s request to show cause why he should not be recalled from his position as commissioner, Dr Zedriga explained that he did not make any attempt to respond to the specific accusations levelled against him, thus sanctioning the decision by the NEC.

“In light of this, NEC has resolved to recall Hon Mathias Mpuuga from the Parliamentary Commission on account of corruption, dishonesty and abuse of office, and to notify Parliament of the same. NEC further resolved to nominate Hon Francis Zaake Butebi as Parliamentary Commissioner,” the NUP acting President said in a statement dated Friday, March 15, 2024.

Additionally, the party explained that Zaake’s nomination was informed by the fact that “he was illegally removed from that role in March 2022 in order to pave way for the grand corrupt and questionable dealings of the Parliamentary Commission that have now come to light.”

Dr Zedriga advised that the party will in the coming days initiate the relevant process to effect this resolution in liaison with the parliamentary commission.

Mpuuga’s Woes

Mr Mpuuga came under the spotlight towards the end of February when the social media campaign dubbed #ParliamentExhibition exposed him for using his then position as a Leader of Opposition to engage in the sharing of Shs1.7 billion together with the other members of the Parliamentary Commission.

Documents which leaked on social media indicated that Mr Mpuuga during the meeting chaired by Speaker Anita Among was allocated Shs500 million out of the Shs1.7 billion while three other commissioners, all members of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) got Shs400 million each.

Although the former LoP was earlier advised by his party leadership to return the money, apologise to Ugandans and step down as a Parliamentary Commissioner, he has since termed these as a move targeting to malign and character assassinate his personality.

Mr Mpuuga also defied the party’s request to step down from his position and vowed not to do so, insisting that the money was allocated to him legally, adding that the party has no authority within the available laws to relieve him of his duties as a Parliamentary Commissioner.