Hon. Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, the Member of Parliament for Kira Municipality, has raised concerns over the appointment and salary increments of musician-turned-presidential aide Catherine Kusasira. During a recent parliamentary session, Hon. Ssemujju questioned Kusasira’s qualifications and her sudden salary increase from UGX 2.5 million to UGX 6 million within a year. His remarks sparked laughter in the House, as he pointed out the growing trend of entertainers receiving government appointments without clear job descriptions.
Catherine Kusasira, a well-known musician, was initially recruited as a National Resistance Movement (NRM) campaign mobilizer. Following her efforts in the 2021 elections, she was appointed as a Special Presidential Assistant for Political Affairs. However, in a short span of time, her title changed to Senior Presidential Assistant for Underprivileged Youth, raising eyebrows among opposition legislators and the public.
Hon. Ssemujju argued that the continued placement of musicians and entertainers on the State House and President’s Office payroll is an abuse of taxpayer funds. He questioned what qualified Kusasira for the salary hike and whether her contributions justified such financial rewards.
During his address, Hon. Ssemujju highlighted that Catherine Kusasira was not the only entertainer benefiting from state appointments. Other musicians such as Eddy Kenzo and Buchaman have also held advisory roles under President Yoweri Museveni’s administration. The legislator criticized this trend, arguing that government positions should be given based on merit rather than political loyalty.
“Parliament should take note of the abuse of both State House and President’s Office… ask yourself, what is presidential about Catherine Kusasira?” Hon. Ssemujju remarked, questioning the effectiveness of such appointments in addressing national concerns.
Following Hon. Ssemujju’s remarks, public debate erupted on social media, with citizens expressing mixed opinions. While some defended Kusasira’s appointment as a reward for her political allegiance, others echoed the MP’s sentiments, calling for transparency in government job allocations. Political analysts have also weighed in, suggesting that such appointments undermine professional governance and contribute to unnecessary government expenditure.
The issue raised by Hon. Ssemujju Nganda sheds light on broader concerns regarding the allocation of government resources and the criteria used for presidential appointments. As discussions continue, the demand for accountability and merit-based appointments remains a pressing issue in Uganda’s governance landscape.