Reports indicating that a section of Members of Parliament (MPs), especially from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), received Shs100 million each—allegedly from President Museveni as a cash gift—have attracted public outrage, with many calling for Parliament to be disbanded.
The reports, which started circulating last evening, indicated that the MPs collected the money from the Office of the Government Chief Whip at Parliament between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. on April 7.
The reports further revealed that the money was given as a token of appreciation from the President for passing controversial bills.
Commenting on the said money, Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi, who is not in the country, said, “We’ve learnt that there is money which is surreptitiously exchanging hands in Parliament. Information reaching us is that they are giving each NRM MP (and a few selected opposition MPs) Shs100 million each, as appreciation for the Coffee Bill that was passed, and also in readiness for the proposed amendment to the UPDF Act, which will seek to cement the trial of civilians in the Court Martial in spite of the Supreme Court ruling. Our country needs a reboot.”
Parliament, through its official social media page, also issued a brief statement:
“There are claims on social media regarding alleged payments of Shs100 million to MPs. The public is advised that Parliament makes statutory payments to MPs processed by the Clerk to Parliament & reflected on their individual payslips. The Clerk has not processed any such payments.”
However, Ugandans are up in arms about the reports that the MPs received the money. Below are some of the reactions:
Ronald Kusa said, “That money can build 56 world-class hospitals. That’s about 15 hospitals in each region. Imagine the financial damage and burden left on the Ministry of Finance, with all these debts.”
“With the poor roads in our country, no medicine in hospitals, low salaries for doctors and teachers, somewhere MPs are sharing Shs100 million each as appreciation. Uganda Olemwa!” Fahad Hamza commented.
Josh Jeje said, “Giving MPs Shs100 million each, yet Mulago has only 15 functional ICU beds. This government is a disaster to Ugandans.”
Tired Muzukulu stated, “This is not the first time these things are happening. You’re a corrupt house that should be burnt and banned. You’re the most useless entity in this country. Uganda would be a better place without this house of looters.”
Chemutayi commented, “For a country which borrows, we cannot afford this spending… Shame.”
