Civil society actors and opposition figures in Kabale District have raised concerns over reports that each National Resistance Movement-NRM Member of Parliament-elect is set to receive UGX 100 million in cash as a token of appreciation, following a retreat in Kyankwanzi, funded by President Yoweri Museveni.
According to the reports, President Museveni pledged the funds to all MPs-elect, with part of the money expected to be disbursed before their swearing-in in May. During the engagement, however, the President cautioned the legislators against engaging in corruption.
Despite this warning, critics are questioning both the legality and the source of the funds, wondering how the President intends to raise the UGX 37 billion required for the payouts.
The Executive Director of Kick Corruption Out of Uganda, Robert Byamugisha Kakuru, challenged the source of the money, arguing that it is unlikely to be personal funds and warning that such actions undermine financial integrity and discipline.
He further expressed concern that the donations are being made to MPs who are already set to benefit from parliamentary emoluments, at a time when essential public services such as healthcare and road infrastructure remain underfunded.
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Leopold Twesigye, a Central Division councilor representing the People’s Front for Freedom-PFF in Kabale District, described the move as an abuse of due process. He argued that disbursing money outside established legal frameworks amounts to promoting corruption and alleged that the funds could be intended to influence MPs to support proposals such as extending the parliamentary term from five to seven years.
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Similarly, Derrick Katebire Mugyesera, the National Unity Platform-NUP Chairperson for Kabale District, said the reported payments should not come as a surprise, claiming that such practices have become common. He alleged that President Museveni often uses financial incentives to secure parliamentary support for budgets and legislation aligned with his interests.
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