Oil has always been treated as a sacred thing by the current regime. We have witnessed deliberate denial of information relating to oil dealings with the executive attempting to be the alpha and omega in all oil related issues.

We know that secrecy breeds corruption and it was no surprise when Hon. Karuhanga adduced evidence to this effect.

Yesterday's parliamentary debate on oil was a classic example of how public interest is being sacrificed to the "Minister" even those members of parliament that had taken ages to appear in parliament were majestically seen appearing in order to vote for the said clause. What a pity!!. We all know who wields power behind our so called ministers. They do not have the capacity to make their own decisions without being influenced from "above".

No wonder Minister Muloni whom the public had once thought would be independent minded is alleged to push for the clause giving powers to the minister even without the required quorum in parliament.

Oil is a national resource therefore members of parliament should play their over site role and any decision to sideline them should be resisted and looked at with suspicion. With the rampant thefts of public moneys the executive can no longer be trusted.

It is a pity that some MPs are willing to hand over this resource to a few people well knowing the implications. I now agree with the notion that "Thieves now have Uganda"

Cissy Kagaba is the Executive Director, Anti-Corruption Coalition Uganda (ACCU).