Former Members of Parliament are seeking a special retirement package that would provide them with a monthly allowance of between Shs10 million and Shs15 million after leaving Parliament.
The proposal was presented during the Annual General Meeting of the Association of Parliamentary Alumni of Uganda held at Parliament. Former MP Gelard Menya, who chaired the Presidential Affairs Committee in the 8th Parliament, said the planned scheme is intended to give former legislators financial security without placing an additional burden on government through expensive retirement benefits.
Menya explained that the proposal does not include perks such as official vehicles, houses or domestic workers. Instead, former MPs want a structured and funded scheme that would pay them a monthly allowance after their parliamentary service.
The former legislators also renewed their appeal to President Yoweri Museveni to fulfil his earlier pledge of giving Shs100 million to every former legislator who served between the 1st Assembly and the 9th Parliament.
According to the association, the pledge would benefit between 500 and 800 former MPs, but many of them are still waiting for the promised money.
In addition to the financial package, the association is calling for official identification cards and distinctive attire to make it easier to recognise former Members of Parliament during national celebrations, state functions and other official events.
They argued that many countries give similar recognition to retired military officers and war veterans, allowing them to retain their status and dignity after leaving public service.
Former Oyam South MP Isa Otto Amiza said some former legislators have found themselves in embarrassing situations after attending state functions where officials and security personnel failed to recognise them because they had no official means of identification.
The association says introducing both a retirement support scheme and formal recognition for former MPs would acknowledge their contribution to the country’s legislative development while preserving their dignity after leaving office.
