Parliament of Uganda has finalized a procurement process to have two new ceremonial cars for Speaker Anita Among and her deputy Thomas Tayebwa.
In a letter dated April 4, 2022, the Office of the Clerk to Parliament informed the Executive Director of Public Procurement that the cars which the two powerful citizens are currently using are outdated and mechanically in unsound state and can’t serve their purpose.
“The Right Hon Speaker and Deputy Speaker do not have ceremonial vehicles which are their recommended mode of transport,” a letter reads in part.
The Clerk Adolf Mwesigye says the available cars are over 10 years old.
He added that the need for the SUVs is therefore made acute by the fact that Parliament is set to host two national functions; State of Nation Address and the Budget Reading.
“The need for ceremonial cars is therefore imperative.”
The letter says that Parliamentary Commission has twice attempted to buy the cars but failed on both occasions because the service provider Spear Motors quoted shs 2.9 billion, a price that exceeded the pre-established market survey estimate of shs 2.8 billion.
But Chris Obore, the Director of Communications at Parliament maintains that the facts in the letter are not true saying, “Just accept that two vehicles cannot cost 2.8b. If you need more facts you will get that the procurement wasn’t for two vehicles.”
He added, “It’s clear you are vouching for the disbanded contracts committee. If there is a vehicle which costs 1.4b each it must be manufactured and supplied by yourself. Yes , we disbanded the contracts committee for various reasons.”
The development comes amid reports that MPs have allocated extra shs 193 billion for their allowances.