The Parliamentary Commission has put forward a request for an additional Shs125 billion to cover salaries, travel expenses, and per diems, sparking controversy amidst lingering allegations of corruption within the Eleventh Parliament.
The request, aimed at facilitating the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Leader of the Opposition, and MPs to attend both local and international events, as well as conduct oversight roles, has drawn scrutiny in light of recent accusations of financial impropriety.
Presenting the 2024/25 Ministerial Policy statement to Parliament, Robina Rwakoojo, chairperson of the Committee on Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, outlined the need for additional funding, citing a reduction of Shs78 billion in Parliament’s budget by the Ministry of Finance.
The recent scandals surrounding Speaker Anita Among and former Leader of the Opposition, Mathias Mpuuga, who allegedly received hefty service awards, have heightened public skepticism towards parliamentary expenditure.
Despite mounting criticism, the Parliamentary Commission remains steadfast in its request for additional funding, seeking Shs3.747 billion to address staff wage shortfalls and Shs1.606 billion for its annual contribution to the East African Community.
While progress on the construction of new Parliamentary Chambers has been slower than anticipated due to cash flow challenges, Parliament has made strides in legislative activities, passing 17 bills and debating 34 Committee Reports in the previous year. However, concerns remain regarding the pace of legislative output compared to initial targets.
