During the NRM Caucus meeting this week, mainly two things were discussed. One was what should be done to the 27 NRM MPs who voted against the Magyezi bill that critics see as legislating life presidency into existence in Uganda. The second matter on the agenda was Finance Minister Matia Kasaijja making a personal plea to be pardoned for the Shs72bn that can’t be accounted for and was meant to fund NSM’s efforts to procure the most essential medicines for the country. Matia Kasaijja begged NRM MPs to rally behind him and not to fraternize with opposition counterparts who are out for anything that can re-energize their supporters after the defeat of their Togikwatako movement that sought to foil the Magyezi bill. He told them he was innocent and at a right time, he would give a more detailed explanation. He rightly fears that if this matter isn’t managed early, it will create public momentum and anger against the perceived corrupt and it will be too late for him to save his head off the chopping board.
Even mere prolonged public debate about the same is bad enough as it can create a false impression in the public as if he is the most corrupt minister in Museveni’s government. Ironically some of the 27 MPs who were present were quiet as Kasaijja made his case and instead it were the perceived Museveni loyalists who voted YES that heckled and gave Kasaijja hard time. They assured him of readiness to have him censured at earliest opportunity. The fellow cabinet ministers were in attendance but many kept quiet preferring that Kasaijja carries his own cross.
However, it was Muruuli Mukasa who had guts to defend Kasaijja. He begged NRM MPs to be compassionate and try their best to correctly explain to their voters while defending Kasaija who is also Buyanja County MP. Its widely believed Muruuli defended Kasaijja because he rightly fears that the proposed censure of Kasaijja, once successful, will incite MPs to go after many more ministers and who knows, himself (Muruuli) might end up being victimized given the wide spread vendetta caucus MPs have against old Ministers. They see their overstay in cabinet as standing in their way to ascend cabinet positions. For comments, reach us on mulengeranews@gmail.com
