By Milton Olupot

THE Uganda Debt Network (UDN) wants the MPs’ vehicle scheme halted.

The scheme, expected to cost the government over sh20b, will see each MP getting sh60m to purchase a vehicle.

UDN also demands that Article 85 of the constitution that empowers MPs to determine their emolument be repealed to avoid conflict of interest. It said an independent commission be established to determine MPs emoluments.

meeting Parliament Speaker Edward Ssekandi yesterday, UDN officials said the legislators should not take advantage of the provision to perpetuate their personal interests.

“The current state of the economy cannot sustain the ‘appetites’ of government as expressed in the expanding public administration and the demands for MPs, including the luxury vehicles,” the memorandum presented to Ssekandi said.

The team was led by UDN executive director Dr. Fred Opio.

The two parties concurred that facilitation for MPs was necessary but differed on the timing and the mode.

Ssekandi, however, said the notion that MPs are well facilitated is wrong.