President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni who is the de facto Minister of Finance has accepted a proposal to release shs 50 billion to all legislators to fight COVID-19 pandemic.
The MPs had earlier allocated to themselves with shs 10 billion of the passed 284 billion supplementary budget but the decision to take the money drew ire and sucked the three arms of government into a protracted disagreement with the President and Court agreeing that MPs return the money.
Addressing the nation, a fortnight ago Museveni referred to MPs as “purchasers” who were selfishly scrambling for money at a time when poor Ugandans are starving.
After his remarks which left lawmakers and the Speaker rattled, High Court would later order Parliamentarians to take money to the district COVID taskforce or return it to Parliamentary Commission.
To MPs and their Speaker, this was an intended move to undermine the legislature.
Speaker Rebecca Kadaga who convened an emergency press briefing threatened to expose sensitive government expenditure which would cast all institutions in bad light before the public.
As if that was never enough, a section of majority legislators had planned to return Age Limit Act for review in a calculated move to retaliate against the President, this website reported Monday.
“MPs are incensed and they want to use this opportunity to move the amendment and disable Museveni’s chances of standing for President,” said a source.
“We want the 75years to be brought back for review. The 317MPs who passed it are saying they didn’t make a thorough study of it to make a proper judgment. We want to rescind the decision because we did it haphazardly,” a female MP from Eastern region told the media.
But before MPs could finalise their plan, President Museveni who was once a lecturer of political science has moved first to foil their plan by agreeing to fund Constituency Taskforce with 50 billion to facilitate MPs to fight COVID-19.
On Monday Museveni met with Parliamentary leaders at State House Entebbe to discuss this idea and see how well to fast-track the proposal.
“Meeting with a select committee of Members of NRM Parliamentary caucus at State House Entebbe. We agreed to form a constituency COVID-19 task force across the country for MPs to channel their support to their constituents. This is to avert pressure from individual leaders,” Museveni posted on his Twitter after meeting the MPs.
We have learnt that Museveni will again meet with The Government Chief Whip who is also the Woman MP for Kiboga district Hon. Ruth Nankabira and commissioners; Solomon Silwany of Bukholi, Arinaitwe Rwakajara (Workers) and Hellen Asemo (PWDs), Chairperson Budget Committee, Amos Lugolobi and Finance Committee Chairperson Henry Musasizi.
Also Uganda Women Parliamentary Association Chairperson, Pamela Kamugo Nasiyo and NRM Caucus Treasurer, Mariam Naigaga will be present.
Apart from easing tension, the meeting will also fast-track the formation of constituency taskforces which will help MPs engage in the fight against COVID-19 at the grass root level.
Political pundits have weighed in on Museveni’s move as pleasing the MPs especially the 376 legislators who moved yes to scrap- off the age cap which could grant Museveni a life Presidency.
Don Wanyama, Museveni’s press secretary was unavailable for a comment when reached.
No commissioner of Parliament was willing to speak on the matter when contacted.
According to a State House’s earlier statement, President Museveni was appreciated for having accepted the proposal, saying that this would help them to better serve, help and develop their constituencies during such a crisis.
Opposition leader on Tuesday described MPs as “dealers” who are up for sale to the highest bidder.
