Uganda’s Parliament has spent over Shs 2.5bn on brand new Sports Utility Vehicles for former Speakers of Parliament.
Some of the Land Cruiser vehicles were on Monday morning handed over to Al Hajji Moses Kigongo, Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi and Prof. Edward Rugumayo.
Each of the Land Cruisers costs at least Shs 500m.
Speaker of Parliament Anita Among said the cars are replaceable every five years.
Among said the taxpayer will foot the bill for the former Speaker’s driver, vehicle maintenance and fuel.
“You are the property of Parliament,” said Among, adding, “We have to look after you.”
Administration of Judiciary Act passed in 2020 catered several former speakers who had not been envisaged by the then pension regime.
In 2020, then speaker of Parliament Kadaga said: “When we were considering the Administration of Judiciary Bill, we provided for the existing and retired judges. This reminded me that there is a category of people we have not handled; the former Speakers of Parliament.”
These former Speakers of Parliament, Hajji Moses Kigongo, who served as the Vice Chairman of National Resistance Council (5th Parliament) from 1980 to 1996 (he chaired most sessions since Chairman President Museveni was most times engaged elsewhere) were not catered for in the Parliamentary Pension Act.
Francis K. Butagira served as the Chairman of National Assembly (4th Parliament) from 1989 to 1985 and Edward Rugumayo served as the Chairman of National Consultative Council (3rd Parliament) from 1979 to 1980.
According to the law, a former Speaker is entitled to an annual housing allowance of Shs300m and a monthly pension of Shs 6.7m, translating to Shs 80.4m annually and Shs 6.4m annually for medical treatment.
A former Speaker is also entitled to two police guards all paid Shs 1.1M per month; a senior personal Secretary paid Shs 10.8m annually; Shs 10m every five years for the purchase of furniture; Shs 8.4m to cover utilities; two domestic servants each paid a monthly salary of Shs 696,666 amounting to Shs 8.35m annually.
Ugandans speak out
Nevertheless, the huge expenditure on the luxury vehicles has since rattled a section of Ugandans.
On X, Paul Nkore observed: “Ssekandi really doesn’t need a new vehicle, neither does Ms Kadaga, nor Hajji Kigongo. Ms Kadaga serves as Woman MP for Kamui in 2021. Like all MPs she was given a car grant worth 130M. Mr. Ssekandi also in 2021 got a brand new SUV as former Vice President.”
Judy Mayanja noted: “Only half of that amount could be used to improve Masaka Regional Referral Hospital and significantly enhance the lives of patients.”
Joanita Pearson did not hide her anger: “From borrowing money for a supplementary budget most of which is classified to include bribes for politicians among other things , to this! Meanwhile, Goobi says to Uganda Revenue Authority, “there’s a tax revenue shortfall that is expected to go up next year.’”
She added: “Did they just order these cars in excess and are now faced with disposing of the surplus? What else is it if the same officials already have vehicles given to them by the government? It’s not that Ugandans don’t want to pay taxes, it is when they pay from the very little they earn, and then have to witness this level of extravagance. This kind of irresponsible behaviour from the government, while the taxman gives them endless sleepless nights to fund the same is at the core of why Ugandans are tired.”
Dr Eve Nakato observed: “This country is interesting, we would rather wait for donations to fix our roads, health and education sectors, but use taxpayers money to give luxurious cars to former speakers, really? Don’t these people get salaries to buy the cars they want? Our leaders are failing us!”
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