Leader of Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi has reacted sharply to the arrest of seven senior Parliament officials, warning of a troubling pattern in how accountability and dissent are handled in the country.
The Nakawa West MP said the latest developments highlight a broader governance concern, where individuals who question authority or expose systemic weaknesses are often portrayed negatively.
He described the trend as “unfortunate,” arguing that critics and whistleblowers continue to face resistance despite mounting corruption cases within public institutions.
The arrests were carried out by the Inspectorate of Government (IGG), targeting top parliamentary staff accused of embezzlement, causing financial loss, and engaging in money laundering.
Investigators indicate that the case involves billions of Ugandan shillings allegedly mismanaged between 2023 and 2026, making it one of the most significant corruption probes linked to Parliament in recent years.
While welcoming the crackdown, Ssenyonyi questioned whether the action would be applied consistently across all pending corruption allegations.
“We hope the IGG will follow up all the other corruption matters raised severally,” he said, referencing multiple cases that have previously been flagged but remain unresolved.
His remarks add pressure on oversight institutions to demonstrate impartiality and thoroughness in handling corruption investigations.
The opposition has repeatedly called for equal treatment of all cases, warning against what they term as selective enforcement.
In recent months, civil society groups and opposition leaders have intensified criticism of state agencies, accusing them of prioritising certain investigations while others stall without clear explanation.