The House of Deals – as a local daily aptly described Uganda’s Parliament last year – is once again living up to its name.

In a not-shocking-at-all turn of events, every legislator, from across the political divide, is walking into the Easter break Shs100 million richer. Just like that!

Sourced from the Shs4 trillion supplementary budget passed last month, the funds are reportedly earmarked for mobilising constituents to support government programs.

However, the timing and secrecy surrounding these payments have raised serious concerns about transparency and the potential misuse of taxpayer money.

Sources indicate that NRM MPs collected their funds from the Office of the President on Level 4, while opposition and independent MPs received theirs from Parliament’s Level 5.

The development has ignited an intense political firestorm. While some MPs have confirmed to the Nile Post that the funds were intended for mobilisation, several others remain tight-lipped or have claimed the money is for promoting government initiatives.

The opposition, however, has raised red flags, accusing the government of using taxpayer money for political manoeuvring, and warning of potential misuse of such a large sum.

Robert Kyagulanyi, leader of the National Unity Platform (NUP), has been one of the most vocal critics, demanding full transparency on how these funds will be utilized.

“We need clear accountability and transparency in how this money is being spent. It’s crucial that Ugandans know where their money is going,” Kyagulanyi said last week at Parliament.

The sudden influx of such significant amounts of money has left many MPs questioning the source and purpose of the funds.

Some have expressed unease over the implications, while others have defended the move, citing the need for effective mobilisation and engagement with constituents ahead of elections.

The 11th Parliament of Uganda consists of 529 legislators representing various constituencies, along with over 28 ex-officials.

The recent cash distribution has sparked a heated debate about the role of MPs in promoting government programs, with critics suggesting it could lead to political patronage and further entrench corruption within Uganda’s political landscape.

In the past, Parliament has been no stranger to dishing out large sums of money to MPs, sparking widespread criticism and raising questions about the use of public funds.

In 2017, MPs were controversially given Shs200 million each to compensate for "unforeseen expenses" during the push to amend the Constitution, allowing President Museveni to run for another term.

Similarly, in 2018, Parliament approved a hefty Shs10 billion to facilitate MPs' "consultations" ahead of the controversial age limit vote.

These instances, among others, have fuelled public skepticism about the true intentions behind such financial windfalls, with many questioning whether the funds are being used for legitimate purposes or as a tool for political manipulation.

Via Nile Post