Uganda’s Parliament has dismissed claims of a secret Shs100 million payout to lawmakers for passing contentious laws, following allegations by different media outlets, bloggers and the leader of opposition, Hon Joel Ssenyonyi. The scandal highlights renewed concerns about corruption and unethical rewards for MPs at the expense of citizens.
Ssenyonyi, via Twitter, accused ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) MPs and select opposition members of receiving payments as “appreciation” for passing the controversial Coffee Bill and preparing to amend the UPDF Act. The Coffee Bill centralizes control over coffee exports, criticized for disadvantaging farmers, while the UPDF Act amendment could expand military trials for civilians, defying a Supreme Court ruling.
Parliament swiftly refuted the claims, stating: “All statutory payments to MPs are processed by the Clerk and reflected on payslips. No such payments have been made.”
History of Controversial Rewards
This isn’t the first time MPs face allegations of financial incentives for problematic laws. In 2017, lawmakers reportedly received Shs29 million each after abolishing presidential age limits, extending President Museveni’s rule. During the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown, MPs controversially allocated themselves Shs20 billion from a relief fund meant for vulnerable citizens.
Such incidents have fueled public distrust, with critics accusing MPs of prioritizing personal gain over citizens’ welfare. Ssenyonyi’s allegations have sparked outrage online, with many Ugandans demanding transparency.
Accountability in Focus
As Parliament denies the latest claims, activists urge independent investigations. Ssenyonyi emphasized, “If leaders are rewarded for hurting citizens, democracy suffers.”
With Uganda grappling with economic challenges, the spotlight remains on accountability and ethical governance. The recurring theme of alleged cash rewards underscores systemic issues in Uganda’s legislative processes, leaving citizens questioning whose interests their leaders truly serve.
