Lawyer Godwin Toko has delivered a stinging critique of former Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Mathias Mpuuga, highlighting the lingering controversy surrounding a 500 million shilling “service award” he received early in his political career.
In a statement shared on X, Toko argued that Mpuuga will spend much of his political life defending the decision, noting that the public’s memory of other implicated figures has faded due to widespread perceptions of corruption among NRM officials.
“Most Ugandans don’t even remember the names of the other commissioners who were engaged in the heist since people generally know NRM leaders as corrupt and move on,” Toko wrote. “That isn’t the case for Mr Mpuuga.”
Toko criticized Mpuuga’s attempts to justify the award, suggesting that his explanations fail to resonate with the public.
He recalled other aspects of Mpuuga’s career, including his appointment as a chief by the Kabaka at a young age, his role in the Walk to Work protests, and his tenure as LoP, but emphasized that the 500 million will overshadow these achievements for decades.
The lawyer also used the controversy as a broader lesson for opposition politicians, contrasting their accountability with the lower public expectations for NRM leaders.
“If you’re in the opposition and decide to dine with vultures, people may not move on so fast, and your life – at least politically – could be reduced to giving explanations that hit brick walls,” Toko warned.
He concluded by questioning the justification offered by Mpuuga for the award, which he said allegedly came from public funds, and urged the former LoP to move on.
“What he is doing – and has been doing – isn’t working,” Toko said.