The National Unity Platform (NUP) announced on Friday that their National Executive Committee (NEC) has considered reinstating Francis Zaake Butebi to the position of Commissioner, following his struggles to regain his former role.
Zaake was removed from his position as commissioner in March 2022, after a majority of members of parliament voted to oust him due to disparaging remarks made to then-deputy speaker Anita Among.
After a party meeting, the NEC decided to recall Mathias Mpuuga from the parliamentary commission due to allegations of corruption, dishonesty, and abuse of office, and notify parliament accordingly.
“The nomination of Zaake was prompted by his unjust removal in March 2022, which appeared to pave the way for questionable dealings within the parliamentary commission,” the statement reads.
Despite Mpuuga’s response to the NEC’s request for explanation, his explanations did not align with the party’s mission, values, and objectives, and he failed to address specific accusations against him.
Recent social media campaigns, such as #UgandaParliamentExhibition on Twitter, have alleged irregularities in the allocation of 1.7 billion Shillings as Service Awards to Commissioners from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party, including Mpuuga.
The party has been actively working to address these allegations, suggesting resignation or apology on grounds of corruption and misuse of office, a proposal that has not been well-received by the current Commissioner.
Zaake expressed his gratitude on social media for the nomination, thanking the NEC and party president Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine for their endorsement.