KAMPALA
The Leader of the Opposition in Parliament (LOP), Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi, has formally petitioned the Inspector General of Government (IGG), Hon. Beti Kamya Turwomwe, to launch an urgent investigation into what he described as the illegal disbursement of Shs100 million to Members of Parliament.
In a letter officially received by the IGG’s office on Monday, Ssenyonyi raised concern over what he called a matter of “significant public interest and concern.” He cited increasing reports and admissions from MPs confirming receipt of the funds despite initial denials from Parliament’s leadership.
“This payment has been awash within the media,” Ssenyonyi wrote, noting that recent confirmations from legislators had further cast doubt on the legality of the transaction. The controversy intensified after Hon. Twaha Kagabo (Bukoto South) publicly admitted on live television that he had received the money, a statement that has sparked public outrage and viral reactions online.
Ssenyonyi’s petition demands a comprehensive investigation into the source of the funds, the mechanism of their disbursement, and the purpose behind the payments. He also questioned the legality of the transaction, calling it “an act of grand corruption.”
“There has been no official explanation for this payment. Its secretive nature, including reports of nocturnal distribution in cash, raises serious accountability red flags,” the LOP stated.
He urged the IGG to determine which government ministry, department, or agency facilitated the payments and whether there was any formal budget allocation for the same. He further queried whether legal procedures and financial regulations were followed in processing and disbursing the funds.
The petition also calls for an audit to establish the number of MPs who benefited and the approval processes followed, if any. “This warrants immediate scrutiny to ensure accountability, prevent potential misuse of resources, and uphold public trust in our governance institutions,” Ssenyonyi emphasized.
The matter has drawn comparisons to previous scandals involving MPs, including the controversial Shs200 million payout in 2021 for vehicle purchases during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, and recent reports of unexplained facilitation ahead of critical votes in the House.
Civil society has since rallied behind the petition. Sheila Nabachwa, a governance analyst with the Anti-Corruption Coalition Uganda, said, “This is not just about MPs receiving money — it’s about the rot in how public funds are managed. The IGG must act decisively and make her findings public.”
By press time, the IGG’s office had not released a formal statement, though officials confirmed receipt of the petition and indicated that a preliminary review was underway.
If substantiated, the allegations could have wide-reaching consequences, including criminal prosecution and renewed pressure for reform in the regulation of parliamentary benefits and public finance management.
