Former Leader of the Opposition Mathias Mpuuga is plotting to take action against those who have been on a campaign to tarnish his reputation following the court’s decision to uphold the Shs1.7 billion Service Award.

During a press briefing after the ruling, without calling names, Mpuuga slammed his critics, calling them ignorant of parliamentary rules, and accused them of wasting taxpayer money.

He noted that the court’s ruling supports his claim that the Service Award was completely above board and legally approved by Parliament.

“The Court in its powers decided that some right thinking Ugandans and those who have been following the discussion that any MP that doesn’t understand the processes of Parliament is just a burden to taxpayers. The Court’s ruling is what we said from the start that all these matters were handled legally. Individually, this issue has been capitalized on by many people to disrespect me, but I want to thank all Ugandans who stood with me,” said Mpuuga

The outspoken legislator urged Ugandans to use their “minds and ears, not just their tongues”, because if people had thought critically, they wouldn’t have spent months dragging his name through the mud.

Mpuuga hinted at plans to expose those who attacked him and restore his image.

“It’s a shame that some of these people claim to be educated, but I will leave that up to God. The individuals God provided heads with lips, ears, eyes, and brains could learn from the court’s verdict that they should never use their mouths alone and instead use every part of their heads by using whatever the court has given us, so maybe we will move forward with that.” he added

The details are contained in the ruling of August 12, 2024, by Justice Douglas Karekona Singiza of the High Court’s Civil Division. The court upheld the Shs1.7 billion Service Award given to the four Commissioners of Parliament, reasoning that the money was lawfully approved by Parliament.

“Newspaper articles and social media posts in this country are awash with reports of allegations of government agencies and politicians awarding themselves prizes in the form of money. This is common in government agencies and entities whose staff are already highly paid. If this practice continues unchecked, there is a likelihood that our nation’s coffers may be depleted,” read in part Justice Karekona’s ruling.

Justice Douglas Karekona ’s ruling also warned about the potential risk of national coffers being drained by such awards, urging reforms to prevent misuse. The court called for the Secretary to Treasury to discipline the Clerk to Parliament over these payments.

This development comes on the heels of a censure motion commissioned against the four parliamentary commissioners including; Bukooli Central MP Solomon Ssilwanyi,Nyendo Mukungwe County MP Mathias Mpuuga, Rubanda woman MP Prossy Akampurira, and Zombo district woman MP Esther Afoyochan.

The motion’s leaders, Lwemiyaga County MP Theodore Ssekikubo and Aringa South MP Arioni Yorke Odria, delivered a notice of reprimand to the parliament clerk, Adolf Mwesigye, giving parliament’s leadership 14 days from 5th August 2024 to debate the matter. Others involved in pushing for signatures leading to the motion are: Isaiah Ssasaga Budadiri East MP, Joseph Gonzaga Sewungu Kalungu West MP, Sarah Opendi Tororo woman MP, Padyere County MP Otimgwi Isaac, Kasanda North MP Patrick Nsamba Oshabe, Hoima East Division MP Patrick Isingoma

The NRM MPs collected 186 signatures from MPs across the country, to set the motion running.

Following Rule 110 of the parliamentary rules of procedures, a written notice to the Clerk, signed by a minimum of thirty percent of the voting members of Parliament, must be sent before a motion for a resolution to remove a Commissioner can be started.

The notice must also state the reasons behind the motion, and any information in favor of the grounds commissioner will be deleted if at least half of the members of Parliament who cast ballots agree.

The Mps were accused of dishing themselves a service reward worth 1.7 billion shillings without the parliament’s consent.