By Wabwire Andrew
On a cold Saturday morning, during the popular “Bwino ku Bwino” show hosted by Kalogo Abel on Busoga One Radio (6–9am), a powerful discussion unfolded on the extravagance of Uganda’s Parliament and its impact on the national economy. With Busoga One being among the most listened-to stations in the country, the message resonated widely.
Kalogo argued that Members of Parliament (MPs) appear more focused on their personal welfare than the citizens they represent. He compared Uganda’s situation to countries like England and the United States — nations that lend money to Uganda — where legislators earn far less, yet Uganda pays its MPs among the highest salaries in the region, reportedly Shs 59 million per month.
Quoting former legislator Hon. Odonga Otto, who has repeatedly criticised these high salaries on his TikTok platform, Kalogo cautioned that Parliament has become a major financial burden due to inflated salaries and allowances, contributing to Uganda’s growing public debt.
While such criticism is valid, the problem does not lie with MPs alone. It begins with the voters themselves. From my personal observation during the recent NRM primaries, where I supervised as ONC Coordinator, many voters openly demanded small cash handouts of Shs 1,000–2,000 before casting their votes. In one widely shared video, a government minister was even seen distributing new 2,000-shilling notes to supporters lining up to receive money before voting.
This voter behaviour has drastically reshaped expectations of MPs. Instead of being judged by their legislative roles — debating laws, providing oversight, and representing their constituencies — MPs are now assessed by how many funerals, community functions, or private events they attend, often expected to contribute financially.
The financial pressure this culture creates is enormous. In the last NRM primaries, sitting MPs reportedly spent between Shs 400 million and Shs 1 billion on campaigns. Faced with such huge costs, many legislators are left with no option but to engage in questionable dealings once in Parliament to recover their investments.
The media must therefore play a stronger role in educating citizens about the true responsibilities of Members of Parliament. Voters must understand that MPs are not supposed to serve as their daily financiers but as representatives in national decision-making. Changing this mindset will ease the financial burden on leaders, reduce corruption in Parliament, and restore the integrity of our legislative institution.
As long as voters continue to prioritise small handouts over real service delivery, the cycle of financial stress and corruption in Parliament will persist. The change must begin with us — the electorate.
The writer is the Office of National Chairman (ONC) Coordinator, Kaliro District and a Busoga NRM Analyst
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