MP Olanya: Parliament Staff Picked Money for Among as Mwesige Approved Payments

KAMPALA — Kilak South MP Gilbert Olanya on Tuesday said former Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among and Clerk to Parliament Adolf Mwesige should be the principal subjects of the ongoing corruption investigations, arguing that several parliamentary staff currently on remand were merely carrying out instructions from their superiors.

Speaking outside the Anti-Corruption Court after senior parliamentary officials were further remanded to July 27, Olanya said it was “terrible” to see junior officials facing prosecution while those who exercised ultimate authority had not been charged.

“It’s terrible. I’ve seen how other people are suffering here today,” he said.

“The majority of those who have been arrested were only being used by the former Speaker.”

Olanya alleged that some staff members were instructed to receive money in their accounts and immediately surrender it.

“For example, she (Anita Among) could ask the authorities to wire money into your account, and after receiving the money, you must carry everything, not even picking Shs1,000. You withdraw all that money and hand it over to her,” he claimed.

The opposition legislator said many of the accused officials acted under pressure from their superiors and should not be regarded as the principal beneficiaries of the alleged scheme.

“Some people were complaining, it is true. Once your boss directs you to do something, you cannot refuse,” he said.

“In Parliament, people are paid fairly well. Looking at your family, once you are told, ‘Please go and take that money and bring it,’ you will never refuse.”

Olanya said investigators should instead focus on those who had ultimate authority over Parliament’s finances.

“To me, the key suspect is the former Speaker Anita Among and the Clerk to Parliament,” he said.

“The Clerk to Parliament will come in because no money shall be withdrawn without the authorization of the Clerk to Parliament. He is the principal accounting officer in Parliament.”

He added: “Why should we really disturb those people? They are very innocent. They were only being used, ignorantly.”

“The people who are supposed to be in Luzira are the former Speaker and the Clerk to Parliament rather than disturbing these poor people.”

The remarks came after prosecutors informed the Anti-Corruption Court that investigations into alleged embezzlement, money laundering and causing financial loss involving Shs27.2 billion were in advanced stages.

The accused officials include Parliament’s Director of Communications and Public Affairs, Chris Obore Ariko, Director of Human Resource Daniel Adilo, Executive Secretary in the Office of the Speaker Leonard Okema, Principal Research Officer Rajab Kaaya Ssemalulu, Principal Protocol Officer Emmanuel Emuron Okwi and Capacity Development Officer Vincent Otebata.

The charges have intensified scrutiny of Parliament’s financial management and widened investigations that have already drawn in Among, whose residences in Nakasero, Kigo and Bukedea have been searched by investigators probing allegations relating to corruption, wealth declaration and the management of parliamentary resources.

Neither Among nor Mwesige has publicly responded to Olanya’s allegations, and investigators have not publicly identified any additional suspects. No charges have been brought against either the former Speaker or the Clerk to Parliament.

The case returns to court on July 27, when prosecutors are expected to update the court on the status of their investigations.

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