The newly appointed chairperson of the committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (Cosase), Mubarak Munyagwa says Ugandans will see a tough, serious and committed person who will be following accountability issues to their logical conclusion.

Munyagwa, the Kawempe South MP said Ugandans who are cynical about his appointment do not know him well  as a person who can’t be coerced or corrupted to push things under the carpet. In a reshuffle by Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party president Patrick Oboi Amuriat last week, Munyagwa was appointed Cosase chairperson to replace seasoned lawyer and Bugweri MP Addu Katuntu.

The appointment has attracted a lot of cynicism especially on social media with many a commentator saying it was a downgrade given Munyagwa’s comical character. However, Munyagwa said Ugandans are in for a surprise as he will not be like Katuntu who would initiate a probe but fail to deliver when it really maters. Unlike Katuntu, he says, he will not engage in the business of exciting the public.

“How many reports has Hon Katuntu submitted on the plenary. You see, there is a difference – somebody can initiate an investigation, grill witnesses because he is a senior lawyer, use very good English, excite the public but what happens after? What happened to the presidential handshake? Munyagwa will always follow matters to their logical conclusion not this business of exciting the public,” said Munyagwa.

Despite pointing out Katuntu’s weaknesses and failures, he still lauded him as a senior competent lawyer and good legislator.

“I can’t match him in anything. He is a senior lawyer who can even be appointed chief justice. However, he was also at a certain time given an opportunity to exhibit what his capabilities are. What I have and he doesn’t have is consistency,” he argued.

On those doubting his capabilities, Munyagwa who is currently a third-year law student at Makerere University said he’s well grounded in constitutional law as well as parliamentary procedures.

“You see I have two personalities in me – that is why I laugh at Ugandans and I will keep on surprising them. I don’t think that a committee chair can be picked from National Theatre…Even some people suggested that I’m a senior four dropout. Do I care? I’m a student of Prof Oloka Onyango, he taught me constitutional law. I’m a student of Dr Mayambala Kakungulu – he taught me the law pertaining parliamentary business. I know it, am a lawyer. Not every Tom, Dick and Harry can study law from Makerere,” said Munyagwa.

“So, some of these bloggers on Facebook, I even don’t know [what to say]. When it comes to matters of law…It is only that we chose to fight to become activists and liberate this country. For them they chose after university to spend their time in lodges, guesthouses, in bars and that is where they base to judge us.” he added.

Though often a jocular when engaged in discussions and debates, Munyagwa dismissed arguments that he is a comedian, saying he has two personalities. He said he is not among MPs who take themselves as small gods.
He warned that he will be a tough Cosase chairman, adding that people will be complaining about his change of character.

“I have two personalities in me; Munyagwa the activist, and Munyagwa – the real Munyagwa. No, no, I’m not a comedian that cannot happen. Some people do possess archaic minds and think if you’re a member of parliament you must not crack a joke. That you’re a small king, you’re a small god…I know when to do what…I don’t pretend, that is Munyagwa – that is who I am. Even if I became prime minister tomorrow. I mean, these a simple positions that you can also become.” he said.

Asked about corruption allegations that have shrouded the Cosase committee, Munyagwa said he’s heard about the allegations but argued that for him he’s not corrupt and will not accept to be corrupted.

“Me, I love money but I’m not corrupt. You see this not the first opportunity that I have gotten. I was mayor in KCCA where the ED was oozing with money with councillors getting millions. I’m on record, I and Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago of having refused a huge salary which they had given us in order to scandalise us. I have gotten a number of chances to make money and in Uganda you don’t even need to become chairman of Cosase in order to make money. It is just a matter of choice. Parliament is a matter of choice. If you want to make money, bribe is everywhere but me am not a corrupt man. One, I feel satisfied I don’t think I can easily be corrupted that is why you will see it in the way I have moved with my politics. I don’t easily switch camps and jump unto this and that. Even in times when we have taken unpopular decisions like in Bugiri I have kept my guard.”

Munyagwa said he is humbled by the appointment and will always be grateful to the FDC president Amuriat who appointed him.