The Caretaker Bishop of Luwero Diocese has criticized Parliament for what he called lavish spending on luxurious cars for former speakers amidst the poverty facing the majority of Ugandans. On Monday, Speaker Anita Among handed over brand new Land Cruiser vehicles to former Speakers of Parliament.
Among the beneficiaries were Al Hajji Moses Kigongo, the Vice-chairperson of the ruling National Resistance Movement, former Vice President Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi, Prof. Edward Rugumayo, the Deputy Prime Minister and East African Affairs Minister, Rebecca Kadaga, and Francis Butagira.
Although the cost of the cars was not mentioned, the cars are estimated to be worth Shillings 3 billion. Among also said the Parliament will foot the bill for the former Speaker’s driver, vehicle maintenance, and fuel.
While delivering his Christmas message, the caretaker Bishop of Luwero Diocese Rt. Rev James William Ssebaggala, said that although it’s good to remember the former speakers, this wasn’t the right time to do so as the majority of Ugandans are languishing in abject poverty.
Ssebaggala explains that the vehicle expenses were huge, saying that many priorities of the nation need to be handled rather than such benefits. Ssebaggala added that some of the recipients are already well off and enjoying state benefits and hence may not need more cars from parliament.
Ssebaggala has asked the Parliament to stop lavish expenses and instead divert the resources to key services to the citizens. He proposed that such funds should be used to boost the budgets for the Parish Development Model, renovate dilapidated schools, buy drugs in hospitals, and work on impassable roads among others.
While handing over the cars to four out of five former speakers, Among said the cars were procured following the recent enactment of the Parliamentary Pensions Act that expanded the beneficiaries to all speakers who served Uganda since Independence. Among also said it was good to appreciate the former Speakers when still alive because they did a lot for the Country.
The Busiro East Member of Parliament, Medard Ssegona has vowed to table a bill to amend the act saying it’s irregular for one person to get multiple benefits from the same consolidated fund.
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