“Admit Taking Museveni’s Shs100M Immediately or We Expose You Publicly” Balaam Tells Opposition MPs

Uganda’s State Minister for Youth and Children Affairs, Balaam Ateenyi, has stirred political waters by accusing opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) of hypocrisy in the ongoing controversy surrounding the Shs100 million payouts to lawmakers.

Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Balaam directly called out MPs from the National Unity Platform (NUP) and the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), alleging that some accepted the funds in secret but publicly denied receiving them once the issue became public.

“The same MPs who received financial assistance behind closed doors are now pretending to be clean in the eyes of the public,” Balaam wrote, expressing disappointment. He warned that if the denials continue, the government would release the list of recipients and post their signatures in trading centers across their constituencies to expose the alleged double standards.

The Shs100 million disbursements—reportedly discussed during a ruling party caucus meeting—were intended to support MPs across the political spectrum. However, the move has sparked outrage, particularly among the public and civil society, who question both the purpose and legality of the funds, especially in a struggling economy.

Opposition Leader Joel Ssenyonyi swiftly responded, demanding an inquiry into the source and timing of the funds. He called for full transparency, questioning why the payments were made and whether they followed legal procedures.

Balaam’s statements have only intensified the controversy, suggesting that proof exists to support his accusations. “If they continue to deny it, we’ll go public with the evidence,” he added, raising tensions within Parliament and drawing attention to deeper concerns about accountability and transparency.

The fallout from the Shs100 million saga continues to grow, deepening political divides and fueling public frustration over financial dealings in the corridors of power.