Kampala, Uganda:- A section of Members of Parliament (MPs) from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), as well as independents and opposition parties, have reportedly received UGX 100 million each from President Yoweri Museveni as a reward their “good behavior” and to bolster support for government programs ahead of the 2026 elections.
Sources privy to the matter told DailyExpress on Tuesday that the NRM MPs collected their funds from the Office of the President on Level 4, while opposition and independent MPs received theirs from Parliament’s Level 5 between 8 pm and 9 pm on April 7.
Others reportedly obtained their share from Speaker Anita Among’s Nakasero residence. Some MPs contacted on Tuesday afternoon confirmed receiving the cash, citing them as funds intended for mobilization and promoting government initiatives, while others remained tight-lipped on the matter.
However, when asked if he was aware of the disbursment, Deputy Presidential Press Secretary Hajj Faruk Kirunda neither confirmed nor denied the development and channeled any further inquiries to the NRM Parliamentary Caucus led by Government Chief Whip Hamson Obua before hanging up.
The Parliament’s administration also distanced itself from the reported cash handout and dismissed the reports as untrue. “I am not aware of anything like that,” said Ms. Grace Gidudu, the Assistant Director at Parliament. “There are clear channels on how MPs receive their money,” she added.
Joseph Sabiti, the Communications Officer at the Office of the Speaker, also denied knowledge of the transaction and emphasized that Parliament follows formal procedures when disbursing funds to MPs.
Opposition reacts
Opposition figures have expressed concern over the timing and intent of these payouts. The NUP President Robert Kyagulanyi, who has been vocal in demanding transparency regarding these funds, emphasized the need for clear accountability while appearing in parliament last week for the alternative budget reading by the opposition.
“We need clear accountability and transparency in how this money is being spent. It’s crucial that Ugandans know where their money is going,” he said.
Leader of the Opposition in Parliament (LoP) Joel Ssenyonyi acknowledged awareness of the alleged handouts and warned of action against National Unity Platform (NUP) members who may have accepted the money.
“We have been hearing about this move by the government to award MPs, especially from NRM and some opposition basically to thank them for passing the controversial Coffee Bill and prepare grounds for the upcoming controversial coffee amendment,” Mr Ssenyonyi reportedly said, as quoted by Monitor.
This development comes against the backdrop of similar past instances where substantial sums were allocated to MPs, sparking public outcry.
For example, in 2017, legislators received UGX 29 million each for consultations on a bill to extend President Museveni’s rule, a move critics labeled as a bribe.
Similarly, in 2021, amid the COVID-19 crisis, MPs were granted nearly $30 million collectively to purchase new vehicles, leading to widespread criticism.
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