Give us a break! Let MPs pay for iPads

In an attempt to modernise the mother of all parliaments, 650 MPs in the House of Commons were given taxpayer-funded iPads last year. In India, each of the 790 lawmakers, many of whom are elderly, yet some lack computer knowledge, were also offered $1,000 (about Shs2.6 million) to buy high-class iPads in an attempt to tackle the country’s red tape and match with modernity.

I am told other oblivious low-income economies in Africa and Asia are also considering jumping to the bandwagon under the pretext of transformation. But the question is: In these difficult economic times, does it make sense for the authorities in Parliament to burden the already stressed taxpayers so as to finance the rapid roll-out of suitable mobile tablet hardware for the politicians?

If Britain and India can afford to buy these “toys” for the honourable ladies and gentlemen, does it make sense for the people in impoverished nations?

Back home, Uganda - one of the poorest nations in the world - with about 37.7 per cent of the population living on less than $1.25 (about Shs3,000) a day, is also in the process of giving free iPad-style tablet computers at a cost of around Shs1 billion to her 375 MPs. Whether this idea makes economic sense or otherwise, if you asked me, it’s a waste of taxpayers’ money if we chose to buy iPads for MPs. I know that as a country we must all adapt or we risk losing relevance in a fast-moving global village, but poor countries like Uganda have got to weigh the priorities.

While there is no any grain of evidence that the new technology would boost funding in key sectors like health, agriculture, roads and education, the Parliamentary Commission insists that the scheme would save money while reducing expenditure on printing and photocopying etc. I can say this without any fear of contradictions that even if Parliament goes against the wishes of the people and uses taxpayers’ money to buy the iPads for MPs; the paperwork in the House will not stop. This is not because our Honourable ladies and gentlemen are oblivious but because the kind of Parliament we have simply cannot operate without papers.

While I agree to some extent, iPads can in some way cut on the costs; it is a fallacy to reduce wasteful expenditure by mere electronic devices. The excessive burden on taxpayers’ shoulders is not from the weight of the bulky reports, but the flawed financial system itself. If MPs bought the iPads from their salaries, Ugandans would have no problem with this idea.

Then there’s this red herring of modernisation: That giving free iPads to MPs and ministers would help bring our Parliament into the dotcom era. But ladies and gentlemen, let’s face the truth here; majority of our members are incompetent when it comes to using new technology. I mean, they don’t know how to use desktop computers, not even a laptop.
It’s a good innovation to modernise Parliament, save paper and cut costs, but because an iPad is a premium product, which means it comes with a premium price tag, it makes a lot of sense if we allow the well-paid MPs to foot the bills. In any case, not all MPs know how to use these tablets. Let those who want, buy iPads using their money and give the taxpayers a break. Just recently, taxpayers were forced to pay each MP Shs103 million to buy a new vehicle soon after they increased their allowances. It does not matter whether all MPs bought the vehicles or not, but they took the money.

It’s good to see that Parliament is matching with modernity, but it does not make sense to jump on the bandwagon at a time when majority of our people cannot even afford the basic necessities in life. There is no reason not to look at other cost friendly options. In fact, any patriotic politician would cast doubt on whether it would be reasonable to supply 375 MPs with high-class iPads tablets worth around Shs1.8 million each at market value, plus monthly subscription costs for downloading data.

With the public finances in such a mess, the last thing taxpayers want is to fork out a new toy for every MP. This iPad deal is a clear case of wasteful expenditure by the same people who are supposed to act as watchdogs. In cutting sumptuous spending - the hemorrhage of public resources in the system - lawmakers need to lead by example. Besides, some of the MPs they want to give free iPads are already using personal devices. Then there are those who bought iPads using part of their fat salaries but don’t even know how to use them, they don’t even know how to access their emails or even log in to the Parliament website. This deal illustrates just how out of touch our MPs are with the pressing needs of the people.

As our lawmakers prove to us how detached they are with the critical needs of the people they represent in Parliament, at some clinics and hospitals in the country, all new HIV/Aids patients go on a waiting list. Reason: Lack of enough ARVs.

A slot opens when a patient dies, highlighting an emerging crisis unfolding before the eyes of our politicians. Uganda is one of the first countries where clinics and hospitals sometimes turn patients away. There are currently about 500,000 HIV/Aids patients, who need treatment, but only 200,000 are getting it, but each year, an additional 110,000 are infected. How about the poor mothers who give birth in corridors of referral hospitals?

Over to you Madam Speaker.

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