By Oweyegha Afunaduula
If money can stupefy and make one evil, then that is what it has done to Uganda’s Members of Parliament severally. It did when Parliamentarians unanimously agreed to be paid to remove Presidential term and age limits. There was no democratic decision-making involved. It was money speaking.
And now comes Covid 19. In his wisdom the President of Uganda decided to put the country on lockdown, accompanied by well over 30 guidelines and a curfew beginning 7pm and ending 6.30am to ensure effective management of Covid 19 in the country. Some measures included barring politicians from holding political meetings and giving food to starving Ugandans during the lockdown, unless through the National Covid 19 Task Force.
The result has been phenomenal: no Covid 19 caused deaths, extremely few Covid 19 victims, and most of the victims completely healed from the disease. However, MPs collectively thought they could add value to the feat by using a stealthy window to secure public money, ostensibly fight Covid 19. They gave each other 20m shillings of public money by almost unanimous decision in Parliament. And withing a few minutes the money was deposited on the bank accounts of all the MPs by the Parliamentary Commission. True, some MPs, such Nandala Mafabi, have quickly withdrawn the money from their bank accounts and used it to benefit their constituents. The majority, however, are silent and inactive despite having received the money.
Minister Sam Kuteesa has reportedly called it “evil money” and President Museveni is reportedly not happy with the action of the MPs.
Over 10,000 Ugandans have signed a petition to protest the action of the MPs to give each other 20m shillings amidst much anguish in the country.
Two Members of Parliament are reported to have sought court action to cause their colleagues to return the money to the Parliamentary Commission.
In Kenya, Members of Parliament, the President, Vice President, and other citizens have offered to have money deducted from their salaries to fight the Covid 19 disease. I am not sure if the powerful Kenya Teachers Union has agreed that it’s members have their salaries deducted for Covid 19. In Uganda, MPs have chosen to use taxpayers money to appear as if they are concerned with the plight of Uganda and Ugandans. Other leaders such as Ministers are largely silent and inactive towards Covid 19. while other citizens, spiritual entities and business entities have heeded the Presidential appeal for donations. Some have given money, others have given vehicles and others have given food. Covid 19 has indeed United the country more than anything has ever done. Unfortunately this unity had been polluted by the action of MPs to give each other 20m shillings; what Sam Kuteesa says is evil money.
