MPs car cash: Court sets October 13 for ruling
MPs debate during plenary recently. Court will on October 13 decide on application in which a concerned citizen wants government stopped from releasing more than Shs80 billion to buy vehicles for more than 400 MPs in the 10th Parliament. Photo by Dominic Bukenya
What you need to know:
- In the main case, Mr Sanywa contends that the move is erroneous because it creates differential treatment of the three arms of government and reduces the level of wealth available to general public.
- Through his lawyer, Mr Sanywa, asked the court on Tuesday to issue a temporary order restraining government from releasing the said funds until the disposal of the main petition.
KAMPALA. Court will on October 13 decide on application in which a concerned citizen wants government stopped from releasing more than Shs80 billion to buy vehicles for more than 400 MPs in the 10th Parliament.
Justice Richard Buteera of the Constitutional Court yesterday set the ruling date after submissions in which a citizen, Mr Twaha Sanywa, is seeking temporarily halt of release of the money until his petition is determined.
Mr Sanywa of Kajjansi in Wakiso district petitioned the Constitutional Court challenging the planned buying of vehicles for MPs of the 10th Parliament.
Through his lawyer, Mr Sanywa, asked the court on Tuesday to issue a temporary order restraining government from releasing the said funds until the disposal of the main petition.
The lawyer argued that it is discriminatory to other arms of government like the Judiciary and Executive who acquire their means of transport by public procurement to facilitate their duties.
He had argued that if the process is not halted, his case may be rendered useless yet it is likely to succeed as Parliament is given preferential treatment on the said entitlement.
The petitioner, Mr Twaha Sanywa (R), consults with his lawyer Shaban Sanywa (L) at the constitutional court on Tuesday. Photo by Michael Kakumirizi
But the Attorney General defended the Parliamentary Commission’s decision to buy personal vehicles for the 427 MPs saying the law provides for such benefits and privileges.
Senior State Attorney Gorreth Arinaitwe told the court that applications, such as filed by Mr Sanywa, can only be granted where there is irreparable damage but in the instant case, the (Parliamentary) Commission can deduct the contested monies from the MPs’ emoluments if the main petition succeeds.
The case comes amid ongoing debate in regard to the decision of the Parliamentary Commission to buy a vehicle for each of the 427 MPs at Shs150 million. The total cost is estimated at Shs85 billion.
Case:
In the main case, Mr Sanywa contends that the move is erroneous because it creates differential treatment of the three arms of government and reduces the level of wealth available to general public.
He argues that MPs receive a monthly salary and amenities that include housing, transport, medical, domestic servants and secretarial services, which puts them in a privileged position to buy themselves cars.
