Ogwal to Opposition MPs: Take age limit cash

MPs Ibrahim Semujju Nganda (second left) William Nzoghu (centre) and  Muwanga Kivumbi returning the sh29m age limit consultation money. Cecilia Ogwal says Lango MPs will not return the money. Photo by Kennedy Oryema

Lango Members of Parliament (MPs) opposed to the removal of the presidential age limit from the Constitution said they have no problem getting the money meant to facilitate them during consultations.

Speaking to the press on Wednesday at the home of Dokolo South MP Felix Okot Ogong in Lira town, Cecilia Ogwal, who is a commissioner of Parliament said Opposition MPs should take the money and use it for other development activities.

She said the parliamentary commission did not budget for the money.

"There is no way Parliament could have budgeted for consultation on a constitutional amendment and more so on a private member's Bill and leave out more sensitive legislations such as security and drought, which cause many deaths in east and north part of the country," Ogwal said.

Ogwal who had just been discharged from hospital after she was affected by teargas on Tuesday when Police dispersed a joint consultation meeting at Adyel division children's playground said she is yet to find out why members of the Opposition returned the money.

She was responding to a question as to whether as members of Parliament from Lango who are opposed to the age limit amendment would take the money.

Ogwal said once money is signed out of the treasury, it is difficult to account for.  

She advised MPs opposed to the amendment of the Bill to reconsider their positions and use the money for other development activities if they do not want to use it for consultations.

"If you think the Government is a thief and the thief removes money from your bedroom and you say you no longer want it and give it back, the thief will spend the money because that is what he wants to do," she said.

"This is public money; it is not Museveni money, not commission money, not NRM money, let us see how we can put that money in areas that will benefit the people of Uganda."              

Jonathan Odur said if members of the Opposition collectively agree to take back the money, he will personally return it.

The MPs - Felix Okot Ogong, Jonathan Odur, Santa alum, Charles Angiro, Silvia akello and Cecilia Ogwal had assembled at the home of Ogot Ogong to issue a joint statement condemning what they called brutal acts of the Police when it dispersed  their consultation meeting on Tuesaday.