Parliament’s decision to procure and handover four luxurious high-end cars to four former speakers has attracted an uproar from members of the public.
Speaker Anita Among on Monday handed over the vehicles to Al Haji Moses Kigongo, Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi, Rebecca Kadaga and Prof. Edward Rugumayo who previously served as speakers of Parliament.
Among revealed that former Speakers will be given new cars after every five years by Parliament whose fuel, maintenance and salaries for drivers will be covered by parliament.
“You will be required to bring your own driver, who we will recruit as Parliamentary staff, Parliament will pay that driver of yours. The car remains a property of Government of Uganda. Parliament will maintain and fuel these cars. But Parliament will after every five years be giving you a new car,or in between when the car gets a problem, you will bring it back and we give you a new car. You are property of Government of Uganda, so we are supposed to look after you,”Among said.
The uproar
Following the development, Ugandans took to social media to blast parliament for such a decision at a time when the country is in a financial crisis yet there are other equally pressing needs which money to procure the cars would cater for.
“That’s about 2.5 billion, correct me if I’m wrong. Only half of that amount could be used to improve Masaka Regional Referral Hospital and significantly enhance the lives of patients,” one Judy Mayanja said on X.
Dr.Catherine Kyobutungi posted, “ Signs of a government that has its priorities right!!! This is the most pressing issues facing Ugandans – giving expensive fuel guzzlers to former speakers of Parliament who already drive government issued cars and receive hefty monthly payments?”
Simon Peter Tumwine could not agree more, “Can’t these things wait. Many health centres are struggling, our roads are in a sorry state and we are here purchasing cars for former speakers. Each car costs more than sh200m. Uganda esiinga Bulaaya.”
Many described the decision to procure brand new vehicles for these officials whom they said already have government fleets.
“Ssekandi really doesn’t need a new vehicle, neither does Ms Kadaga, nor Hajj Kigongo, Ms Kadaga serves as Woman MP for Kamuli in 2021 Like all MPs she was given a car grant worth shs130 million, Mr. Ssekandi also in 2021 got a brand-new SUV as former VP.”
Aarons Mwesigye said whereas there is no harm in retirement benefits for government officials who served their country diligently, the timing is not correct.
“I am to opposed double benefits of officials who were in numerous offices thus receiving benefits from both or all ends. First, what’s the rationale? Secondly, is our economy compatible? Thirdly, isn’t it wastage of the already scarce resources in our basket? On the other hand, we recently witnessed the minister of foreigners affairs expressing how the government intends to withdraw cars from ministers, PSs, and other government officials so that they can be used in transportation of delegates during the NAM and G77+1 summit as a result of lack of funds to purchase new cars since the delegates will be many from over 130 countries.”
Daniel Bwambale, a senior government official said the decision to procure new fuel guzzlers for these officials is illogical.
“I wish they were public libraries in their names in their very deprived areas of origin complete with free Internet and a caretaker or two, paid for by parliament,” Bwambale said.
