MP OTTO TIRED OF POLITICS

Friady 15th Nov. 2008

ARU COUNTY MP Hon. Odonga Otto is considering quitting the political game because of the costs he has been paying since his first time in parliament eight years ago.


The youthful legislator said that for the past two months he had deliberately pulled out of the political scene so that he can have a different view of the world. He was addressing a Youth Alive conference at Makerere university on Friday.

“I am embarrased of being a member of parliament. Since I joined parliament eight years ago I have tried to work for the truth, but continued paying prices in the process” Otto said, adding that political immorality has hit Uganda hard.

Otto sighted instances where his efforts to fight corruption and other moral injustices had been frastrated.

“Recently, I tabled a motion on the abuse of CHOGM money clearly mentioning names of MPs who took the bribe, but I was surprised by being taken to the disciplinary committee as if I were the crimininal.” He said.

“All my friends who helped me in the research and investigation of the matter turned against me after taking another bribe. From that time, I avoided parliament, and said, let them continue to do what they are doing, as long as I get my salary”.

Otto also criticised the way the Temangalo land issue was handled by parliament. He said the indicted minister was not genuinely freed and yet he had contravened the leadership code of conduct.

“For political reasons I know Mbabazi was forced to apologise, NRM MPs who criticised him were warned,and silenced, then a surprise renunciation was made in parliament that the man has been cleared” he said.

Otto said that social organisations like Kampala Pentecostal Church where he also worships from is now the way to go in order to bring back good morals to the Country.