{UAH} Opposition MPs get Shs110m each to clear debts -Wafula
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Opposition MPs get Shs110m each to clear debts -Wafula
Wafula Oguttu, leader of opposition in parliament
Posted Sunday, August 10 2014 at 01:00
IN SUMMARY
MPs say there are rumours that their colleagues are getting between Shs110 million and Shs150 million each to help them to pay off their debts.
PARLIAMENT- The Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Mr Wafula Oguttu, has urged the Auditor General's Office to investigate the source of the money Mr Oguttu says some government functionaries are giving to some Members of Parliament (MPs) across the political spectrum.
This follows claims that 18 opposition MPs and even many more of their National Resistance Movement (NRM) colleagues are getting between Shs110 million and Shs150 million each to supposedly help them to pay off their debts.
"It is known among the Members of Parliament that this money is being given. It has been codenamed Article 110. My information is based on individuals who have told me they have been told to go and pick that money but they have not," Mr Oguttu told the media at a press conference he called on Friday at Parliament.
"Why are they paying it in cash, not going through the banking system? We call upon the Auditor General to look for the source of this money," he said.
Ms Justine Lumumba, the Government Chief Whip, however dismissed Mr Wafula's claims, saying she is not aware of any MPs being given money and that the unsubstantiated claims by Mr Oguttu could put Parliament into disrepute.
She said those spreading such talk could be doing it to spite their colleagues.
Mr Oguttu claimed a senior leader of the NRM – who he did not name – "…came here and told me that if I went to the House and talked about the money…they would humiliate me by asking me to withdraw…"
Opposition Chief Whip Cecilia Ogwal backed Mr Wafula when contacted by this newspaper.
She said: "This is a rumour that is getting true each day that passes. We cannot cross the bridge before we get there. They should be exposed. If they are named, then we will sit and decide what action should be taken on them. This problem started when the NRM was giving out money to market the Kyankwanzi resolution and the EC did not come out to condemn it."
However, the few Opposition MPs this newspaper sounded out about the LOP's allegation were cagey and seemed to dismiss the allegation. Only Aruu County MP Odonga Otto came out boldly to say he has no problem with getting the money.
Asked whether it was morally fine for Opposition MPs to pick the money, he said: "Why the Leader of Opposition should be guarded by police when the Commander in Chief is President Museveni.
We are in government but on the Opposition side; that is why we are paid in Parliament. I am not there for politics of them verses us; that is the politics of Omara Atubo, Aggrey Awori and that generation has since collapsed. If you don't style up, you perish. Picking that money is part of styling up."
He concluded by saying; "If Opposition has failed to dislodge Museveni, [they] don't look for flimsy excuses".
This is not the first time the Opposition is claiming the government has compromised some of legislators.
In 2011, there were claims the government had given some legislators Shs20 million each for their support in Okaying a Shs600 million supplementary budget. The government denied the claim then.
This time the Opposition claims the money is meant to get the MPs support calls for a declaration of a state of emergency so that the 2016 general elections could be postponed.
The rules of procedure of Parliament of Uganda dissuade members from placing themselves under any financial or any obligations outside individuals or organisations that might influence them in the performance of their duties.
Reactions
"It is a moral issue because it is a matter of an individual's conscience. Disciplinary action can only be taken if there is evidence because the person [LoP] who was speaking himself; I doubt whether he tabled evidence. We are speaking from a speculative point [of view],"Paul Mwiru, Jinja Municipality MP
"The challenge is that it is difficult to know where it was withdrawn from and who could have benefitted. They must be named so that they are ashamed. Government wants to create an impression that even Opposition MPs are benefitting from this money. This is a speculative thing," Aswa County MP Regan Okumu
History of MPs and Money
2005: MPs receive Shs5m as facilitation to consult on the removal of term limits.
January 2011: MPs receive Shs20m ostensibly to monitor the Naads programme but the money stokes controversy as it is distributed in the campaign period for the 2011 elections. Some Opposition MPs return the money, rejecting it as a bribe while others pocket it.
March 2013: MPs pocket Shs5m to facilitate them in consulting on the controversial Marriage and Divorce Bill.
December 2013: Allegations emerge that MPs pocketed cash to manipulate a Committee report on Umeme and the power sector. ganda.org
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