By Our Reporter
The Ugandan Parliament erupted on Wednesday afternoon as MPs gathered for their first plenary session after a long recess.
The atmosphere turned heated when Opposition MP, Hon Muwanga Kivumbi, raised a controversial issue that had been circulating in the media.
According to reports, MPs had allegedly received a gift of Shs 100 million each from President Yoweri Museveni.
The reports indicate that yesterday, Tuesday, one of the offices at Parliament was busy all day as MPs were called in one by one to receive the “gift from the president.”
The money is supposedly to thank the MPs for passing the controversial Coffee Amendment Bill last year and an encouragement for them to do the same with the even more controversial UPDF Amendment Act, soon to be tabled by the government.
The bill intends to reinstate the operations of the Court Martial and to empower it to try civilians, which was outlawed by the Supreme Court early this year.
Hon. Kivumbi, clearly agitated, demanded clarity from the Speaker of Parliament: “The country and the media today and for the last one day are awash with news of a gift of 100 million for each member of parliament from the president of Uganda. As the head of this institution, when its name is in the media, I expected that you would be up to explain what has happened.”
Deputy Speaker Tayembwa quickly responded, attempting to quash the rising storm.
He strongly denied the allegations, stating, “Expenditure is done by Parliament. Hon colleagues, I will not sit here and start legitimising street talk because I am a member of parliament.
“I have not received any coin, neither have I received any call from anyone who has my money. If you know you have my money, please bring it.”
Tayembwa also issued a stern warning to MPs who had leaked the information to the media, stressing the importance of maintaining the dignity of the institution:
“Please, colleagues, if you have your dealings somewhere, please don’t involve the House because we approved the budget and all expenditure of parliament,” he said.
“We never approved any item here called a donation from the president to MPs.” He cautioned that MPs who sought personal gain by exposing their colleagues could damage the reputation of the entire house.”
The Deputy Speaker reiterated that there had been no official approval or discussion regarding any such “donation” and called for MPs to take responsibility for their actions:
“There is a way we protect each other here. If you think you will come out of this institution smart and cleaner than others and you malign all the others in this house, the moment you put your colleagues in mud, that mud will also go on you.”
Tayembwa declared the issue closed, urging MPs to refrain from further public speculation. “We have work to do,” he said, bringing the debate to a swift end.
