Demands for counties hit 60

Shadow finance minister Geoffrey Ekanya (R) appears before the Local Government Commitee to demand for more districts and constituencies in his area yesterday. PHOTO BY FAISWAL KASIRYE

Parliament-Taxpayers are bound to dig deeper into their pockets to finance the 10th Parliament after lawmakers scrutinising a Cabinet motion on the creation of new counties yesterday indicated that they would amend it to accommodate the interests of their colleagues who protested the ‘marginalisation’.

However, some lawmakers have rejected the proposed amendment to the Cabinet motion accusing the Public Service and Local Government Committee members, currently scrutinising the motion, of conflict of interest and conniving with a group of lawmakers who petitioned them demanding the creation of an additional 60 constituencies ahead of the 2016 general elections.

Ms Betty Nambooze, (Mukono Municipality) warned of a backlash, if the committee amends the Cabinet motion in disregard of the increased cost of public administration in the country. The Opposition lawmakers are expected to present their views before the committee today.

Ms Nambooze, who is also the shadow minister for Local Government, accused the committee members of “conniving” with the NRM government to divide the country for political reasons.

Ms Nambooze said the committee chairperson, Ms Grace Kwiyucwiny, (NRM Zombo Woman) was also given Ora County to silence her and therefore “not fit to chair the committee.”

“I get so sad to see people including MPs coming here [in Parliament] to demand for constituencies when as a committee of Public Service and Local Government, we don’t have the mandate to dish out constituencies,” Ms Nambooze said.

The committee chairperson said “the committee has all the powers” to make recommendations on the government motion and to amend the ministers’ request for the creation of new counties.

Bigger Parliament
If Parliament approves the additional 60 new constituencies, the size of the 10th Parliament rises from 386 to 446 members. Each legislator is paid about Shs20m per month and is entitled to a free vehicle of more than Shs100m, a free iPad and other allowances.

Last week, Local Government minister Adolf Mwesige tabled a motion for a resolution of Parliament to create 39 new constituencies amid complaints from members that their requests were not granted.
However, when the minister came to Parliament on Monday, he told the committee that Cabinet had approved 40 new counties.