By Teopista Nakamya / KmaUpdates
Joel Ssenyonyi, the leader of the opposition in Parliament and Nakawa West Member of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda, criticized the four parliamentary commissioners for granting themselves a 400 million shilling service award(each) for the second time, which he believes is intended to benefit them in their political ambitions for the upcoming 2026 general elections.
He denied the circulating rumors on social media suggesting that he also received a service award of 650, asserting that individuals spreading such claims are being manipulated by other parliamentary commissioners to damage his reputation.
The commissioners mentioned in connection with the alleged service awards include Mathias Mpuuga (Nyendo-Mukungwe), Esther Afoyochan (female/Zombo), Prossy Akampulira (female/Rubanda), and Solomon Silwany (Bukhooli Central).
Ssenyonyi noted that, according to credible sources within Parliament, the service award this time was distributed via the Parliamentary SACCO.
He asserts that he has yet to see a single coin from the Sacco in his account since the allegations surfaced.
He mentioned that if any deposits were made, he wouldn’t access them because they weren’t processed correctly; if funds are received, he will promptly instruct the bank to return them to the sender.
As commissioners, he pointed out that they enjoy certain benefits tied to their roles, such as security, daily allowances, and a vehicle noting that these perks would be sufficient to satisfy them while also conserving taxpayers’ money.
Ssenyonyi believes that leaders, regardless of their position, should reconsider how they award themselves financially by amending existing laws.
Following the last award, Ssenyonyi requested an investigation from the then Inspector General of Government, Olive Namisango Kamya, but she left office without addressing the issue, and he has chosen not to pursue the matter further with the newly appointed official.
Mpuuga declined to comment on the matter although his colleague, Silwany, accused Ssenyonyi of using some substances that makes him speak whatever he wants claiming that they have never got a second service .
Parliamentary spokesperson Chris Obore said it is impossible for the same parliamentary commissioners to be given a second service award and confirmed that Ssenyonyi also hasn’t been given a 650 service award as rumors say, stating that it’s all propaganda.
Robert Migadde Ndugwa , head of the parliamentary SACCO through a phonecall told our reporter that is not aware of what Ssenyonyi is saying.