IN a significant move against corruption, three Ugandan legislators have been charged with diversion of public resources, according to a charge sheet obtained by Reuters on Saturday. This development marks a continued effort by President Yoweri Museveni’s government to tackle widespread graft among lawmakers.
Members of Parliament Michael Mawanda Maranga, Ignatius Wamakuyu Mudimi, and Paul Akamba, all from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party, appeared in court late on Friday. They faced charges of ‘diversion of public resources’ and have all pleaded not guilty, resulting in their remand to prison.
Accusations of defrauding the government
Prosecutors allege that the three MPs diverted approximately USh3.4bn (around $908,605) to purposes unrelated to their intended use. The charge sheet also accuses them of conspiring to defraud the government of Uganda.
Defence lawyer Caleb Alaka argued in court that the constitutional rights of the accused had been violated. Akamba, one of the accused, had already faced corruption charges the previous week and had been remanded, along with two other lawmakers. They were accused of attempting to coerce the chairperson of the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) to inflate the organisation’s 2024/25 budget, in return for a 20 percent share of the increased funds.
Government’s stance on corruption
This crackdown is part of a broader campaign by President Museveni’s administration to root out corruption within the government. The charges against these legislators highlight the serious nature of the government’s anti-corruption efforts, aiming to restore public trust and ensure proper use of public funds.
As the judicial process unfolds, the case against these NRM party members will be closely watched, symbolising a critical moment in Uganda’s fight against corruption and the enforcement of accountability among its lawmakers.
