Opposition legislators led by their chief whip Hon Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda have returned shs 29 million deposited on their accounts as facilitation to consult their voters on removing age limit law.
Parliament is currently on recess and all MPs are thronging the constituencies to enagage the electorate on whether to support or oppose amending of the constitution of Uganda to scrap age cap.
The legislators, starting yesterday Tuesday started receiving Shs 29million each on on their accounts.
The Opposition MPs however, say that the money was mis-allocated and is supposed to be serving other purposes.
According Chris Obore, Parliament’s director of communications, the total amount given out to MPs for consultation meetings is Shs 13 billion.
The money, he said, was cut from the MPs’ emoluments and will be reimbursed by Ministry of Finance.
Speaking to Press at the Leader of Opposition’s office on Wednesday morning, Opposition whip Semujju Nganda said they were returning the money to the Parliament officer in charge of the Consolidated Account.
Busongora North MP William Nzoghu said the 29 million for each of the MP wasn’t budgeted for and that it should be returned back to where it was obtained.
According to Butambala MP Muwanga Kivumbi, the distribution of the money itself was uneven.
He argued that giving a uniform Shs. 29million for MPs within Kampala and the central region just like those going to consult in Arua, Karamoja and Kasesse was a mistake.
“The money is immoral and should be returned by all MPs,” he said. “Leaders should be mindful of integrity. You cannot just eat money without minding your own suffering people.
Hon Lubega Seggona said the MPs don’t need to be given money to consult with their constituents.
“I cannot be bought to procure President Museveni a life presidency,” he said.
Soroti MP Angelina Osege termed the 29million as “cursed money,” while youths Mp Anne Adeke said taking it would be like being in a “cohort of thieves”.
