Parliament grills Kiyonga over soldiers pay

Mar 27, 2012

Parliament has expressed concern over the ministry of defense''s monthly deductions from UPDF officers in Somalia.

 By Mary Karugaba and Henry Mukasa

Parliament has expressed concern over the ministry of defense's monthly deductions from UPDF officers in Somalia.

Leader of Opposition in Parliament Nandala Mafabi and Aswa MP Reagan Okumu told Parliament that they had received several complaints from the officers over the deductions.

According to the MPs, the ministry deducts US$208 monthly from the UPDF officers deployed in Somalia. UPDF officers in Somalia are paid US$1028 each per month and in case of death, the officer's family receives US$50,000 and in case of injury, the officer gets US$25,000.

“The minister should explain why Government deducts the money given the important work they are doing in the country. That is a risky job,” Okumu said.

Defence Minister Crispus Kiyonga explained that according to the memorandum of understanding signed between the government of Uganda and the African Union, they are a number of payments that AU does not meet.

He said the money is part of the administration costs.  

“This contribution goes to the treasury and is used for administration purposes. For example when commanders visit the area or in case of death, the AU does not pay money towards the funeral expenses,” he said.

Kiyonga was also grilled over Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi's continuous escort by the military and not the Police.

The MPs complained that unlike previous Prime Ministers, Mbabazi was using UPDF officers as his guards and fly a UPDF helicopter MP Odonga Otto told Parliament that it was unconstitutional for the prime minister to be guarded by the UPDF officers and to use the army helicopter when he is civilian.

“Madam Speaker, is it in order for the Prime Minister to continue using UPDF escorts as if he is a military man yet the Police is well equipped and facilitated to do that?” Otto asked.

Medard Ssegona said the role of the UPDF is clearly spelt out in the constitution and guarding civilian is not part of them. “if you want to the UPDF to provide security for civilians, you must amend the constitution,” he said.

Alice Alaso asked why the same privilege was not extended to the former Prime Minister Apolo Nsibambi ,  the Chief Justice and Speaker of Parliament; the third most important person in Government.

The Speaker Rebecca Kadaga refused to rule on the matter but rather bounced the question to the defence minister Kiyonga. Kiyonga defended the Prime Minister saying there is a way Government handles security of its citizens depending on the level of the threat.

He explained that the UPDF has not only protected Mbabazi but other civilians and provided assistance in times of emergency.

“In our view, they are other officials protected by the UPDF and not Mbabazi alone,” he said.

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