MP to sue government over gratuity

Kampala

Kabula County MP James Kakooza has asked court to grant him permission to sue government and the Parliamentary Commission over alleged delay of gratuity for MPs in the Ninth Parliament.
The MP petitioned the Kampala High Court seeking for a court order allowing him to represent the 385 lawmakers.

Through his attorneys, Mr Kakooza alleges that in September 2011, the government and the Parliamentary Commission stopped payment of their monthly gratuity without their consent and instead ordered the Clerk to Parliament to open up an account in Crane Bank for purposes of depositing the said money.

“We are entitled to that money every 12 months or whenever we desire,” reads part of the complaint.
According to the complaint, the Parliamentary Act of 2009 orders for remuneration of members.

“We therefore want court to allow us institute a representative suit against the respondents as we all have similar interests to determine the rights to be paid our gratuity on demand,” reads the petition.
Court has set March 5 for hearing of the case.

bndagire@ug.nationmedia.com