MPs hurry to collect Shs29 million, find empty account

Kampala-Many Members of Parliament (MPs) have not yet received the Shs29 million for consultations on the Constitutional Amendment Bill.

The MPs say they were disappointed when they checked their accounts in various commercial and  realised the money is not reflected on their accounts.

On Monday, Parliament said it had wired the money to the legislators’ accounts and that they could pick it.

“It is not yet on my account,” Ms Monicah Amoding, the Kumi District Woman Representative, said on Tuesday.

Mr John Baptist Nambeshe (Manjiya County) said: “I have been checking the account since last evening and I haven’t seen the money. Maybe they are segregating against those who are opposed to amending the Constitution.”

Kabarole Woman MP, Ms Sylvia Rwabwogo said she had not checked her account because she was busy  by the time Parliament announced that the money had been released.

All the aforementioned legislators are opposed to the lifting of the 75 years old cap for presidential candidates. They argue it would not be for the good of Uganda’s democracy.

However, they say they would take the money and use it on projects chosen by their voters.

 “I have talked to my colleagues and we have agreed that we shall take the money because it is coming from Parliament, not the NRM,” said Ms Rwabwogo.

The money, according to Parliament, is intended to help MPs hire public address systems and meeting of venues, among other items.

Mr Nambeshe and Ms Amoding said they would spend the money on charity.

“Once the money comes in, I will declare it and then take it to the people in Bududa District for the refurbishment of the x–ray unit, repair scan and the ambulance,” Mr Nambeshe said. “I will not spend it on consultations because I have always been consulting my constituents.”