By John V Sserwaniko
Veteran FDC politician Jack Sabiiti (aka the Lion of Rukiga) has, after prolonged silence, come out of his closet and roared again. And this time round the victim of his rant is not President Museveni (the man he likes to eloquently criticize) but the Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga. Sabiiti, who has always been suspected of envying Bugweri County MP Abdul Katuntu, has expressed fury at what he denounces as efforts by Kadaga to shield the former COSASE chairman from being criminally investigated by the IGG Irene Mulyagonja. In his own written newspaper missive, Sabiiti questions why Kadaga reacted with hostility when Mulyagonja was petitioned and directed ISO DG Frank Kaka to probe claims that the manner in which Katuntu conducted and concluded the BoU probe was influenced by kickbacks and bribes COSASE members were given to fix some officials at BoU. Sabiiti insinuates that in protecting Katuntu, Kadaga (whom he celebrates as an accomplished lawyer) wasn’t acting in good faith. The ex-Rukiga MP says that Kadaga’s approach to the IGG suggestion indicated how dishonest she intended to be on matters regarding the COSASE-BoU probe. He castigates Uganda’s No. 3 for disregarding very clear and unambiguous Constitutional provisions under Article 223 which mandates the IGG to investigate public officials even on grounds of mere allegation similar to what the whistleblower accuses Katuntu in his or her original petition to IGG. Sabiiti says that the allegations made against the COSASE boss touched on his integrity the very reason why a well-meaning Speaker should have seen the IGG/ISO probe as an opportunity for his/her MPs to be cleared in case she is confident they are not culpable of any of the very serious allegations raised by the whistleblower.
BASHES IGG
In his very sophisticated article, Sabiiti accuses Speaker of abusing her own powers by interfering into the work of the IGG whose independence and jurisdiction is well provided and protected respectively under Articles 227 and 226. In the same narrative, Sabiiti also goes after the IGG herself and says that despite being a “very intelligent judge” her conduct of late has betrayed a lady who is very timid and desperate to act in a manner State House will perceive as politically correct. He for instance faults her decision to refer the matter to ISO yet her office is legally well empowered to conduct such integrity-related investigations on leaders. Sabiiti fears that ISO can only investigate and report to the President who is famous for resolving such controversial matters in a manner that brings him political dividend. Going almost native on the IGG, Sabiiti bashes Mulyagonja for “lacking confidence” to do her work even when the law clearly empowers her. He regrets the expenditure and cost the public incurs to ensure the IGG’s budgetary and HR needs are met every financial year. He specifically uses the word “bad news” to emphasize the extent to which he believes Uganda is in trouble because of the ineptness of the two powerful ladies from the East (Mulyagonja and Kadaga). Sabiiti also decries the fact that he has just realized that Mulyagonja suffers from “inferiority complex.” He reminds Mulyagonja that inaction (safe as it may seem) isn’t good practice because she will one day have to account for her tenure as IGG. In the same vein, Sabiiti uncharacteristically uses demeaning words such as “lazy” to describe Mulyagonja, an indication he was in a very belligerent mood as he got down to write his narrative. He says his views should be taken seriously because of his many years of experience as a legislator which saw him witness some of Mulyagonja’s predecessors “abdicate duty.” He says this unbecoming conduct by the IGG is something all well-meaning citizens “must interrogate.” Sabiiti argues that it’s possible the IGG has come to accept the Ugandan political mediocrity and has resorted to playing along in order to keep safe. He adds that the public condemnation the IGG recently endured by the President (who has gone on to undermine her through the Edith Nakalema appointment) could be the reason why the hitherto much-respected Mulyagonja has all of a sudden become timid. This is how he puts his point: “Perhaps the IGG has realized that spending half of the time keeping quiet and the other half doing nothing is one way to keep out of trouble. This could have resulted from the conduct of the President who months ago lambasted the IGG for failing to tackle corruption.” He also observes that in a country where institution heads have power which they are fearful to exercise, Mulyagonja’s current predicament shouldn’t be very difficult to understand. He concludes by implying that even when mediocrity has become order of the day in Museveni’s Uganda, those who still consider themselves good people should not give up the fight for a better country. For comments, call, text or whatsapp us on 0703164755.
