Lawmakers from Parliament’s Public Service Committee have recommended for the halting of issuance of new luxurious cars to former leaders until the laws are harmonised in order to end the duplication and wastage of public resources.
The recommendation was revealed by Ojara Mapenduzi (Chairperson Public Service Committee) while appearing before the Budget Committee where he noted that currently, the Presidential and Prime Minister Emolument Act as the Parliamentary Pension Act details a number of retirement benefits for its leaders, a trend that has seen some officials benefit from both laws, thus leading to wastage of taxpayers’ money.
He said, “The Committee recommends that the aforementioned laws be harmonised to address the duplication of retirement benefits. Purchase be provided for the purchase of vehicles for the aforementioned leaders based on the harmonisation of the retirement benefits. The Committee is recommending that before funds are provided, we first need to analyse then later on, funds can be provided because otherwise, it would lead to wastage of resources.”
Mapenduzi asked the Budget Committee not to approved the Shs7.2Bn being requested for by the Ministry of Public Service for the purchase of luxurious vehicles for the former leaders like; Edward Ssekandi, Amama Mbabazi and Ruhakana Rugunda until the laws are harmonised.
“Some of the retired leaders are still holding public offices that draw retirement benefits under both the Parliamentary Act and the Presidential Emolument Act this creates a risk of duplication and wastage of public resources,” said Ojara.
Dickson Kateshumbwa (Sheema Municipality) welcomed the development but urged the Committee to ensure that the Attorney General is asked to table amendments to the laws because the issue of vehicles to the former leaders has been a matter of public concern.
