MPs reject buying vehicles for former leaders

By Francis Lubega

10^th Jan 2024

Members of Parliament sitting on the Parliamentary Public Service and Local Government Committee have protested the proposed 7.2 billion shillings budget request to procure brand new vehicles for former leaders.  

This was after the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Public Service, Catherine Bitarakwate highlighted that in their budget for the 2024/25 financial year, a total of 7.2 billion shillings was planned for the emoluments and benefits of the former leaders.

However, this was opposed by members on the committee saying some of the beneficiaries are still serving public officers and it would be double payment.

Committee chairman Martin Ojara Mapendezi raised the issue while receiving the budget framework paper presented by the ministry’s permanent secretary.

Mapendezi argued that those already receiving emoluments, including those serving as presidential advisors, should wait and emphasized the need for a more equitable distribution of resources.

In response, Bitarakwate told the committee members that the double entitlements to former leaders is brought by conflicting laws like the President, Prime Minister Emoluments Act 2010 and the Administration of Parliament Act.

Former speakers of Parliament; Al Hajji Moses Kigongo, Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi, Rebecca Kadaga, and Prof. Edward Rugumayo received brand-new vehicles on December 18, 2023.

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