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Approximately seven years ago, Uganda was engulfed in turmoil when reports surfaced alleging that eight senior government officials and lawyers had received 6 billion shillings as a reward for winning a Capital Gains Tax (CGT) case against Heritage Oil. Despite defending the reward as legitimate, the country grew increasingly incensed by this revelation.
Habibi, about seven years ago, this country was on fire! The fire when @ChimpReports broke a story of how some eight senior @GovUganda officials and lawyers received 6 billion shillings between themselves as reward for winning a Capital Gains Tax (CGT) case against Heritage Oil.… pic.twitter.com/NgYTESnX0R
— TOKO (@GodwinTOKO) March 11, 2024
In the midst of public outrage, a voice of reason emerged within Parliament. Anita Among, then a first-time Member of Parliament representing the women of Bukedea, stepped forward as the champion of the voiceless and defender of taxpayers’ rights. Refusing to accept the claim that the money was a rightful reward, Among eloquently scrutinized President Kaguta Museveni’s letter and made a compelling case against the legality, morality, and ethics of the reward.
Among’s first accusation was directed at the recipients, whom she accused of soliciting the reward—an act she deemed unacceptable. She then highlighted the inherent conflict of interest, as those soliciting the reward were also the beneficiaries. Her argument resonated with many, emphasizing the ethical dilemma at hand.
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Furthermore, Among astutely pointed out the flaws in the beneficiaries’ justification, particularly their reference to the account from which the money was drawn. Her steadfast stance against corruption earned her the moniker “Mama Bukedea,” reflecting her wisdom and integrity.
Fast forward seven years, and it’s disheartening to witness the same individuals who once defended their receipt of questionable rewards now presiding over a parliamentary commission that awarded itself a service honor totaling 1.7 billion shillings.
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