By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA
National Unity Platform president, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu aka Bobi Wine has been advised to desist from discussing Mpuuga Shs500m scandal in the media as this may kill the image of his party.
John Kikonyogo, the FDC spokesperson a party that has in the recent past been faced with alleged dirty money scandal says the leadership of NUP led by Kyagulanyi is mishandling the money issue against former leaders of opposition and parliamentary commissioner, Hon. Mathias Mpuuga by subjecting him to public scrutiny little knowing that they are washing their dirty linen in the public.
“That tag of putting amounts of money on people’s reputation and character is very destructive,” John Kikonyogo warned.
He was addressing journalists during a press conference at their party headquarters Najjanankumbi on Monday when he advised Kyagulanyi to resort to internal discussions and resolve matters amicably without involving the media.
According to Kikonyogo, the NUP should consider its goals than targeting individual members who he said should be zeroed down to protect the party’s corporate image.
“Even if it was true that they took the money, you who is mentioning it, what do you gain by mentioning it in public and putting your organization in disrepute? What is the use? Zero down that person and quietly remove him from the front and take him away,” Kikonyogo advised.
That tag of putting amounts of money on people's reputation and character is very destructive," John Kikonyogo says @HEBobiwine , @NUP_Ug should stop discussing @MathiasMpuuga money scandal in public.
📷 @akida_leonard | Parrots Media. @FDCOfficial1 pic.twitter.com/cSg8vR7X0C— Parrots UG (@parrotsug) March 4, 2024
He said bringing Mpuuga scandal to the attention of the public does not only harm electorates trust in NUP but also makes them think that they all receive money from the ruling government.
Kikonyogo who previously predicted the fall out of Mpuuga and NUP, and money allegations in NUP, said more corruption scandals are yet to be unearthed in many political parties including the ruling NRM. He cautioned opposition parties against falling victims of this scheme aimed at weakening opposition politics in Uganda. He suggested for certain actions internally than addressing the affairs among own members in the public.
Last week, the National Unity Platform issued a statement instructing Mpuuga to resign from his position as commissioner of parliament after it was established that he was to receive Shs500 million from parliament as a token of appreciation for his contribution to the house as the LoP. In a twist of events, Mpuuga also released a counter-attacking statement in which he vowed not to resign arguing that the individuals who are demanding for his resignation are instead more corrupt than he is. This has since caused more tensions between Mpuuga and Kyagulanyi with many Ugandans predicting the inevitable collapse of NUP.
