Staff Reporter
Prossy Akampurira Mbabazi, the embattled Commissioner of Parliament and Rubanda District Woman MP has disclosed that she legally received 400 million Shillings as a “Service Award” and utilized it to empower women’s groups in Rubanda District, with approval from Parliament.
Akampurira, along with two other NRM Parliamentary Commissioners and former Leader of Opposition Mathias Mpuuga, has faced scrutiny after they collectively received a 1.7 billion Shillings service award. The other commissioners involved are Zombo Woman MP Esther Afoyochan and Bukooli Central MP Solomon Silwanyi.
Currently, some MPs are collecting signatures to censure the four commissioners, alleging that they illegally shared the so-called “service award.”
Addressing her constituents at Kacerere Playground in Kacerere town council, Rubanda West County, during the District Women’s Day celebrations, Akampurira, who had remained silent about the service award despite public criticism, admitted to receiving the 400 million Shillings. She stated that she used part of the funds to launch the “Prosperous Women Rubanda” (PWR) project, which aims to support each of the 461 village women’s groups with 300,000 Shillings as seed capital. However, the project has encountered challenges in reaching the entire district, leaving some sub-counties and town councils underserved.
CUE IN AKAMPURIRA….ON THE MONEY….RR//
The service award has sparked outrage among Rubanda District residents, who condemn it as a misuse of taxpayers’ money. They argue that the funds could have been better spent on improving district services, such as enhancing access to clean water and providing adequate healthcare, including ambulances to save lives, particularly for pregnant women.
The event, held under the theme “Inspire Inclusion,” encouraged efforts to ensure no woman is left behind in development and socio-economic transformation. It was presided over by State Minister of Finance Henry Musasizi, also the Rubanda East MP and NRM Chairperson for Rubanda District, as the Chief Guest.
According to Stephen Ampeire Kasyaba, the District LC5 Chairman, the majority of the funds for the function came from the District Treasury, NGOs operating in Rubanda District, and a significant contribution from Minister Musasizi.
