Parliament Rewards Former LoP Mathias Mpuuga With Shs 500M For Good Service, Ugandans React

Ugandan activists have brought to light the actions of outgoing Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Mathias Mpuuga, revealing that he received a substantial sum of Shs 500m labeled as a ‘service award’ after just two years in office.

This award decision was made during a session of the Parliamentary Commission held on May 6, 2022, within the Speaker’s boardroom at the Parliament Building. The agenda of the meeting was centered around the review of elected benefits for the leader of the opposition and back bench commissioners.

Present at the meeting were Speaker Anita Among, then Leader of Opposition Mathias Mpuuga, and Parliament commissioners Solomon Silwany, Prossy Akampurira Mbabazi, and Esther Afoyochan. Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa attended, while Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja and Finance Minister Matia Kasaija were absent with apologies.

The decision to grant a one-time pay-off service award of Shs 500m for the Leader of Opposition and another pay-off of Shs 400m to backbench Parliament commissioners was resolved during the meeting. The terms of the pay-off stipulated that it would remain unchanged regardless of the length of tenure in office.

Agather Atuhaire, an activist coordinating the #UgandaParliamentExhibition, highlighted that Mpuuga received Shs 500m as an outgoing LOP, while the commissioners each received Shs 400m as outgoing members, despite their terms being renewed.

“The commissioners got 400m each as outgoing commissioners, never mind their terms were renewed.” She Said.

She added: “Joel Ssenyonyi (new LOP) isn’t getting anything, at least not on that money because it was given on person to holder basis and is not transferable to another LOP. He will have to negotiate his own deal.”

Opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi sacked Mpuuga on December 22, 2023, replacing him with Ssenyonyi following public outcry alleging Mpuuga’s alignment with the ruling NRM party.

The meeting minutes that decided the ‘service awards’ for the LOP and Parliament commissioners were highlighted. Article 87A of the Constitution establishes the 10-member Parliamentary Commission, and Section 2 (2) of the Administration of Parliament Act outlines its composition.

OUTRAGE

Ugandans have since expressed shock at the wastage of public funds at Parliament.

“The appointing authority Bobi Wine and and David Rubongoya hope you will make a statement about this matter to Ugandans who are seeking a transparent and accountable change!” said Walter Adyeeri on X platform.

Aaron Nze, observed: “I think our Parliament just has too much money, they just run out of names for expenditure lines but there is plenty of money to waste. Then the realisation that there is no opposition when it comes to money.”

Chris Obore, Director Communication and Public Affairs at Parliament said in a statement that the House acknowledges concerns raised in the ongoing #UgandaParliamentExhibition on the institution.

“Though the discussion is laden with distortions, in the spirit of openness, accountability and transparency, we are duty bound to study the specifics of all concerns and conclusively address them,” said Obore without providing details.

National Unity Platform (NUP) president, Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine said the #UgandaParliamentExhibition has so far “unearthed some shocking, but not surprising revelations about the grand corruption, nepotism and the sheer mismanagement of our nation’s affairs.”

He added: “A big THANK YOU to the organisers and all citizens who are taking part in the exhibition. It’s not only a right but a DUTY for every citizen to demand for accountability from those who are in charge of our public affairs, and to expose all wrong doing.”