Eight opposition Members of Parliament have today returned Shs 29 million that was wired to their accounts last Tuesday as consultation money on the controversial age-limit bill.
Led by Opposition chief whip, Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda (Kira Municipality), the legislators including, MP William Nzoghu of Busongora North, MP Moses Kasibante of Rubaga North, Butambala County MP Mohammad Muwanga Kivumbi, Busiro East MP Medard Segona, and MP Angeline Osegge of Soroti Woman returned the money saying it is ‘morally wrong’ to accept it.
The ‘togikwatako” legislators explained that they will not be part of attempts by President Yoweri Museveni to bribe legislators to pass the controversial bill that has stoked debate across the country.
Addressing the media at Parliament today, Ssemujju said that the move is a collective position from the opposition in Parliament, agreeing to return the funds which they say was not budgeted for by Parliament during the 2017/2018 budget process.
“All these actions by the state are illegal. We intend to write to the Inspector General of Government (IGG) and Auditor General (AG) to investigate the source of this amount of money…the budget of Parliament did not include money for this kind of consultation,” Ssemujju said.
Ssemujju added, “People are trying to be smart but this is a bribe; the same like what President Museveni gave them in 2005 to remove presidential age limit. We all like money but we must take legitimate money”.
He added that they were returning the money to the Parliament officer in charge of the Consolidated Account.
Nzoghu accused the president of taking leaders for granted through using money to front his selfish interests.
“This is a litmus test for us leaders and touches our integrity…I have started on the consultations and don’t need money. What the country should know is that in our monthly facilitation, money for consulting with our voters is incorporated so no one should say that they need this Shs 29 million,” Nzoghu said.
The politicians, however, say that by giving MPs money to consult their constituents, the government is misallocating the money that is supposed to be used to address funding gaps in sectors like health and education.
“The money is immoral and should be returned by all MPs. Leaders should be mindful of integrity. You cannot just eat money without minding your own suffering people,” said Butambala MP Muwanga Kivumbi.
Chris Obore, the parliament’s director of communication, said yesterday that sh13b had been released for MPs and that both MPs on the Opposition and NRM sides would get the cash.
He said the money was removed from the accounts of Parliament from their other votes such salaries but that the Ministry of Finance would reimburse it in due course.
Ssegona, Adeke and Ssemujju who are members of the legal and parliamentary affairs committee, which is responsible for the Parliament’s budget, said the money was not budgeted for in the 2017/2018 budget.
“It is our role as Parliament to hold all state institutions accountable in the way they use public funds. We have in the past condemned many for diverting public funds into activities which were not budgeted for. We cannot, therefore, allow Parliament to commit the same crime of miusing public funds,” Ssemujju said.
“Ugandans may not have allowances to pay their MPs allowances for December because the money has been re-channeled to facilitate this Museveni project. We need money but I can only use my money. I don’t know where this money is coming from. It must be rejected,” Ssegona added.
Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Winnie Kizza, wondered if it was necessary for them to carry out any consultations because Police has not allowed opposition MPs to meet gatherings in the constituencies.
The MPs have urged their colleagues in NRM and the Opposition to return the money, which they believe is meant to compromise them.
Betty Aol Ochan Gulu Woman MP however seemed undecided on whether to keep or return the money. Explaining that she has previously returned money given to her by Parliament to hold consultations on the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) and Marriage and Divorce bill, Aol said she will consult them first.
“I am receiving some contrary views from my constituents on this money. Other people are telling me that I bring the money. Now I am divided because my bosses are those people. But they must know that this is bad money,” Aol said.
But some NRM MPs have blamed their colleagues for playing to the gallery saying the money is not a bribe but facilitation to enable MPs do ‘extra’ work given to them by Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga.
Kabula MP James Kakooza says the bill demands extra work on part of the MPs hence the need for facilitation.
Ruhinda county MP, Donozio Kahonda Mugabe wondered why his colleagues who have rejected the money have to physically carry it to Parliament. He says they should instead make electronic transfers and present documentation as evidence
The private members bill championed by Igara West MP Raphael Magyezi seeks to delete article 102 (b) of the Constitution that limits anybody above 75 years of age and below 35 to run for presidency.
