“I am As Clean As Snow”, Mpuuga Speaks Out On Censure Motion
Parliamentary Commissioner Mathias Mpuuga, has dismissed attempts by a section of MPs led by NRM’s Theodore Ssekikubo, Sarah Opendi, Yorke Odria Alioni, and Bashir Ssempa to censure him alongside three colleagues, saying he has “no case to answer” and is “as clean as snow.”
Speaking to mourners during the burial ceremony of the late Dr. Musiitwa Herman Joseph who was Kabaka’s Nyendo-Mukungwe chief on July 29th, 2024 at Kiwoomya-Bukulula, Kalungi district, Mpuuga confidently laughed off censure motion, assuring his supporters that he is innocent.
“I know many people of Masaka are very worried about circulating news that I am going to be impeached [as parliamentary Commissioner]. I want to reassure you that they cannot impeach an innocent person.” Mpuuga said to be cheered by mourners.
Mpuuga who said that he studied laws with distinction without any retake, expressed confidence that the impeachment process will not succeed because the parliamentary commission that processed the money he received is the same that pass monies which looks after all past leaders.
“Kalungu district gave us various exceptional leaders including Prime Minister emeritus Mzee Kintu Musoke, we look after him as the Parliamentary Commission, we look after the former speakers and it is the same Commission, which looks after several former leaders in Parliament,” Mpuuga explained.
He added that the same Kalungu district that produced the late Joseph Mary Mubiru, former Bank of Uganda governor, and the late Mayanja Nkangi, former Katikkiro of Buganda whom he praised as exceptional leaders from the district to serve the nation. Mpuuga challenged the current leaders to prove themselves by doing more than their predecessors did.
“It is up to them [current leaders from Kalungu] to prove they are exceptional leaders because if you fail to do more than your father means, you are stunted,” Mpuuga said in the presence of area MPs like Kalungu West’s Joseph Ssewungu and Katabaazi Francis Katongole of Kalungu East, who already signed a censure motion.
“It is our challenge as leaders of today to show that Budu which gave the nation great leaders like [late] Ben Kiwanuka, and other exceptional leaders, how do you whip us by giving us today’s caliber?”
He added, “we should do deeper reflections on the nation we need to live in because if it meant that someone with a bigger voice becomes a leader, it would make big birds sleep in tiny-bodied birds’ nests which is not the case. Let us have humility, and listen to each other with calmness so we can chart a way forward for our country.”
The MPs leading the censure motion yesterday claimed to have collected 186 signatures to start the official impeachment process that targets other three commissioners of parliament on allegations that they illegally shared Shs1.7bn as service awards.
Mpuuga revealed to mourners that, unlike leaders of the past generation, “our generation is not easy. If somebody does something small, find a hill to climb and ask the country to appreciate him/her. We behave like stubborn puppies that seek to squat before opening eyes and you ask such a person what would you do if you opened your eyes?”
“We have no humility because anybody who gets people’s claps, becomes quite problematic to the extent of asking, you Katikkiro what are you doing there?” Mpuuga said, such a person can ask, “Mayiga where is Kabaka? Then you ask whose child are you? Are you wearing a tie or a rope, did you just grow, or nurtured?”
On the contrary, Mpuuga said that the late Musiitwa was calm, even during times of handling big issues amid (wide consultations) “with all stakeholders, including among us, the relatively young people compared to his age and we would wonder and get humbled.”
The burial was graced by various dignitaries including Deputy Katikkiro Twaha Kawaase, Pokino Jude Muleke, area MPs, and religious leaders led by Masaka Diocesan Bishop Severus Jjumba.