The top leadership of Ugandan journalists assigned to cover Parliament has dispelled reports linking them to shs 40 million received by 317 NRM legislators.
The President of Uganda Parliamentary Press Association (UPPA) Moses Mulondo, disregarded the stories circulating widely on social media as fake, unfounded and lack any aorta of truth.
“We have not received any bribe and we have not asked anyone anywhere not to write about the story of Sh. 40m,” he said in a statement.
Reports say a section of journalists who have been critical in interrogating MPs at Parliament had however, turned a blind eye on a huge scandal in which ruling party MPs were offered 40 million by the President after Parliament threatened to move a vote of no confidence.
Three lawmakers Theodore Sekikubo, Monica Amonding and Gerald Karuhanga allege that these journalists had been paid to “sit on the story” an allegation that puts the scribes’ image into disrepute.
Mr Mulondo has since issued a statement rubbishing all the allegations as untrue.
CLARIFICATION ON CLAIMS THAT PARLIAMENTARY JOURNALISTS HAVE BEEN BRIBED
Dear members of the public,
There are ongoing social media reports that Parliament journalists have been bribed not to write about the Sh40m reportedly given to each MP who supported the lifting of presidential term limits.
The reports even indicate that we have asked our members not to write about the story.
Those stories are fake, unfounded and lack any aorta of truth. We have not received any bribe and we have not asked anyone anywhere not to write about the story of Sh. 40m.
Actually, yesterday, the story ran on several media and it was reported by parliament journalists.
The fact is that about three weeks ago, Uganda Parliamentary Press Association (UPPA) wrote to the Parliament department of Communication and Public Affairs to raise some funds as part of the corporate social responsibility to give some small relief to UPPA members, majority of whom are no longer working.
As you may recall, Parliament reduced the number of journalists covering Parliament from 270 to only 50 as part of safeguards against spreading COVID-19. Majority of these journalists are no longer working.
Members expressed need to the leadership to get some support for them. That is the genesis of the suspicion about the money sent out to help members go through these tough times!
All UPPA did was to compile the list of those who needed support and gave it to CPA.
We are also aware that the institution of Parliament has nothing to do with the handling of the said sh40m. The reports of that money are from places outside Parliament.
Anyone who wants more clarity on this matter can contact the Assistant Director of CPA, Helen Kawesa.
Moses Mulondo,
President Uganda Parliamentary Press Association