The opposition in Parliament has called on the Inspector General of Government (IGG) to investigate the alleged Shs 100 million payments made to Members of Parliament (MPs) from the National Resistance Movement (NRM), independents, and selected opposition members.
On Tuesday, Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi claimed that MPs received Shs 100 million as a “gift” from President Yoweri Museveni for passing the Coffee Amendment Bill. The bill led to the dissolution of the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA), with its functions transferred to the Ministry of Agriculture.
Following Ssenyonyi’s revelation, Chris Obore, Director of Communications at the Parliament of Uganda, dismissed the claims.
“Ignore rumors that MPs have been paid Shs 100 million for passing the Coffee Bill. Whoever is alleging this should respect the public by providing evidence, not propaganda. MPs receive statutory payments through the Clerk to Parliament and by way of a payslip. The rest is recycled propaganda,” Obore said.
He added, “Politics in Parliament is about persuading colleagues to see your point of view. It’s about balancing interests, bargaining, and building consensus. If you can’t do that, you’ll only shout and achieve nothing—not even blackmail will help. Populism alone isn’t enough.”
Earlier today, the opposition caucus, joined by other opposition MPs, issued a resolution strongly condemning the alleged secret cash payments of Shs 100 million to NRM MPs and selected Opposition and Independent MPs.
“We challenge the IGG to swing into action, recover all the payments, and prosecute the culprits,” the legislators resolved.
This is not the first time MPs have allegedly received payments in connection with legislation or alignment with the executive.
In 2005, MPs reportedly received Shs 5 million to support the removal of presidential term limits. Later, Shs 29 million was allegedly given to conduct “consultations” ahead of the removal of the presidential age limit. In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, MPs were awarded Shs 20 million each as part of an emergency facilitation package.
Opposition caucus urges IGG to investigate Shs 100 million gift to MPs
