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Uganda: Legislators Grill Otto Over Bribery Claims
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New Vision (Kampala)
7 May 2008
Posted to the web 8 May 2008
Cyprian Musoke And Paul Kiwuuwa
Kampala
ARUU county MP Odonga Otto was yesterday challenged to prove that MPs took bribes to pass the supplementary budget for CHOGM. The MP last month told the committee on rules, discipline and privileges that Ibrahim Kaddunabbi (Butambala) received sh170m from the Permanent Secretary in the ministry of foreign affairs, Ambassador James Mugume.
Mugume, however, denied the allegations. Otto also said Kaddunabbi, the chairman of the finance committee, was to pass on the money to fellow MPs so that they could approve the sh55b budget. He named the MPs as William Okecho (West Budama North), Hashaka Kabahweza (Kamwenge Woman), William Wopuwa (Bubulo East), Rose Akol Okullu (Bukedea Woman), Norman Muwulize (Buikwe West) and William Nsubuga (Buvuma).
But appearing before the rules committee yesterday, Otto engaged in theatrics. He gave mischievous responses to questions posed by the accused MPs and promised to adduce evidence implicating "more MPs and ministers" in the scandal. Otto demanded that opposition Chief Whip Kassiano Wadri, Alice Alaso (Soroti Woman) and Oduman Okello (Bukedea) should first testify because they refused to take the bribe.
"It is after they have given their side that I will table my evidence," said the Aruu MP who was adorned in dark shades. Earlier, he had refused to testify, saying his lawyer Abdu Katuntu was in court defending Rubaga South MP Beti Kamya against sedition. But the MPs he implicated insisted that he gives evidence because the allegations were tainting their names, and that they had hired lawyers.
They demanded that Otto names the date, day and how much each of them allegedly got. "The truth is that you all received money, but you are denying. "This committee was given the task to investigate this matter, but we are proceeding as if I am the accused, being treated like a chicken thief," Otto replied.
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