By Steven Masiga
Several media platforms have recently been awash with reports of Members of Parliament rejecting a presidential “handshake” of Shs100 million purportedly awarded for their patriotic service to the country. The president himself confirmed this cash token in last week’s rebuttal, stating that it was disbursed to all MPs — clean money from a known source.
Whether this money was a justified bonus or a substitute for the scrapped Constituency Development Fund (CDF), I will not dwell on its merit. Instead, I offer a simple, practical proposal: MPs who feel their conscience does not permit them to spend the Shs100 million should consider redirecting it to a more impactful cause — supporting needy learners in their constituencies.
Current research shows that about 30% of Ugandan university students fail to complete their courses due to tuition-related challenges. If an MP believes they have not earned this bonus, then investing it in education — through scholarships, meals, or scholastic materials — could create real, long-term value.
Alternatively, the funds could be used to support service delivery initiatives like road repairs, local SACCOs, or community health drives. Returning the money to the treasury may make a political statement, but it will do little to ease the daily struggles of ordinary citizens in Constituency X.
With the CDF scrapped over 14 years ago, MPs are left without a solid financial mechanism to meet the increasing demands from voters. If the Shs100 million “gesture” is indeed meant to help them address local challenges, it would make more sense to channel it into visible, life-improving efforts within the community.
The author, Steven Masiga, is a researcher based in Mbale.
