{UAH} MPs get Shs100m each for elections

MPs get Shs100m each for elections

Legislators listen to Rubaga South MP John Ken Lukyamuzi (standing) during plenary recently. Photo by Faiswal Kasirye 

In Summary

Paying debt. The money is payment for arrears accrued on fuel allowances

PARLIAMENT.

Members of Parliament have received Shs100 million each in their personal accounts as fuel arrears to "facilitate" them ahead of the 2016 general election.

MPs who requested not to be named for fear of backlash, told Daily Monitor yesterday how the 386 MPs in the 9th Parliament shared Shs38.6b. The money, which was requested by MPs through the Parliamentary Commission, came from the Ministry of Finance last week and was wired to individual members' accounts.

Daily Monitor understands that authorities in Parliament calculated the difference in pump prices between Shs2,500 per litre in 2011 and Shs3,750 to date. This means the payment is a lumpsum amount, covering a period of five years.

The Government Chief Whip, Ms Ruth Nankabirwa, yesterday confirmed the latest payment to MPs but asked Daily Monitor to get the details from the Parliamentary Commission. However, the Government Chief Whip said she was compiling "a modest budget", distinct from the Shs100m each MP received, to facilitate NRM MPs consult members in their constituencies on the party's 2016-2021 manifesto.

In May, Daily Monitor broke a story in which the authorities in Parliament approved a 40 per cent pay rise for MPs and House staff, in a move the Clerk to Parliament, Ms Jane Kibirige, said came through "a rigorous process" and is intended to "motivate" members ahead of next year's elections.

However, acting Parliament spokesperson Moses Bwalatum confirmed the Shs100m for each MP and explained that the payment was a culmination of a protracted negotiated deal between Parliament and government.

"The payment to MPs is justified because they are entitled to fuel allowances to facilitate them travel back to their constituencies twice every month and also move within the constituency to monitor government programmes," Mr Bwalatum said, adding: "The rate at which they were given mileage allowances was below the pump price. The money given to MPs as fuel arrears is the difference between Shs3,750 and Shs2,500 covering five years."

Mr Julius Kapwepwe Mishambi, the director programmes at Uganda Debt Network, a development organisation said: "The MPs seem to be fleecing the country as they wind up their term, yet they have about 30 reports, 15 Bills unconcluded, 20 committee reports and 30 petitions undiscussed."

He added: "Ugandans instead should be asking for refunds, compensation and accountability, rather than lose more money to mischievous schemes of MPs."

When contacted, ministry of Finance spkesperson Jim Mugunga said: "The ministry acted within its mandate to release monies that were clearly budgeted and approved by Parliament. This is done for all government ministries, departments and agencies. It is neither political nor connivance. It is a service that follows laid down procedures and our partners in the NGO community are well aware."

Previous payout
• MPs in 2005 received Shs5 million each to amend the Constitution to remove Presidential term limits.
• Towards 2011 elections, MPs received Shs20 million to monitor Naads projects in their constituencies. The money was widely believed to facilitate their elections.
• 2013: MPs received Shs5 million each to go and consult on the controversial Marriage and Divorce Bill.
• In 2014: Authorities in Parliament sanctioned a plan to increase gratuity for MPs where the government would be contributing more than Shs2.3 billion and about Shs27.7 billion annually.

ymugerwa@ug.nationmedia.com

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H.OGWAPITI
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