The Leader of Opposition Winnie Kiiza has today threatened to call Auditor General to investigate the source of the Shs29 million that was credited on MPs accounts by the Parliamentary Commission as ‘facilitation’ to hold consultative meetings over the age removal bill, saying the money was not appropriated by Parliament.
Tabled by Igara West MP Raphael Magyezi, the private members bill is aimed at removing the 75-year presidential age cap enshrined in the 1995 Constitution.
Last month Parliament received Shs13 billion from the Ministry of Finance to facilitate the MPs in gathering views from the electorate about the bill that is currently before legal and parliamentary affairs committee for scrutiny.
Speaking after returning the Shs29 million, LoP Kiiza noted that MPs are facilitated to go to their constituencies to seek views on different issues, using funds that are already appropriated by Parliament. “It is unethical to receive double payment, we always get money to go for consultations,” she said.
Further, according to Ms. Kiiza, since the Opposition heads the accountability committee of parliament, it would be wrong for the opposition members to take the money, even when they know that there is poor service delivery in all government sectors arising out of poor remuneration and working conditions.
“It should therefore be returned to government coffers to improve on service delivery,” the Kasese Woman MP said.
Meanwhile, Rukungiri Municipality MP Roland Mugume and his Nakawa counterpart Michael Kabaziguruka today also returned the money, saying it was not procedurally deposited on their accounts.
So far 12 MPs have returned the Shs29m among them Ibrahim Semujju Nganda, William Nzoghu, Muwanga Kivumbi, Moses Kasibante, Mathias Mpuuga, Angelina Osegge, Medard Ssegona Lubega, Abdu Katuntu, Robert Kyagulanyi, Winnie Kiiza, Michael Kabaziguruka and Roland Mugume.
