FR. GAETANO DESCRIBES MPS’ MOVE TO GET UGX 10B AS SELFISHNESS, CORRUPTION

Posted On 18 Apr 2020

By : mk

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By Grant Ahumuza
www.mknewslink.com
In Kigezi

A section of activists in Kigezi region have blasted Members of Parliamentâ€™s move to share shs 10 billion among themselves to fight the deadly Corona virus pandemic.
Last week, the supplementary budget of 304 billion shillings was passed and Shs 10 billion was allocated to Parliament thus every MP is supposed to get shs 20 million.
Speaking to www.mknewslink.com reporter in an exclusive interview, majority of people from Kigezi region said it is shocking that instead of contributing something to fight the disease, Parliament is only taking away the little the government has.
According to the chairperson for Inter- Religious Council in Kigezi, Fr. Gaetano Batanyenda, has said that this is a very huge scandal that parliament should reconsider giving themselves that kind of money.
He described this move as selfishness and corruption of highest order based on greed which is driving NRM MPs to make political campaign for the ruling government to keep President Museveni in power.
Gaetano said MPs are some of the most highly paid people in Uganda, they should instead be contributing something to the task force and at least the funds should be allocated to the ministry of health which is the relevant office on this epidemic disease.
According to a Physician in Tropical Diseases Dr. Nicholas Kamara, there are no allowances and protective gears for health workers, and money for testing is not enough but it is a shame that MPs allocated themselves 10 billion which was supposed to be put where it is needed.
Dr Joseph Tindyebwa, the FDC Deputy National Secretary General in Charge of Policy and Research said that in this crisis everyone is making huge sacrifices,but it is regrettable for Ugandan MPs to allocate themselves that money.
He also appealed to the parliamentarians to think and remember about the lives of people whom they are representing because people are yet to die of hunger.
The Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga on Wednesday defended the money saying that part of the shs10 billion will be used to maintain the ambulances contributed by Parliament and individual MPs, provide fuel and pay allowances for the drivers of the ambulances already released by MPs to help the Covid-19 task forces at district level.