Age limit: MP Gerald Karuhanga returns cash

AGE LIMIT | GERALD KARUHANGA

The vice-chairman of Parliament's Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Gerald Karuhanga, has returned the sh29m given to each MP to facilitate age limit consultations.

PAC is the parliament's accountability committee charged with the responsibility of holding public entities accountable on the way they use public funds to fight corruption, and misuse of public resources.

Karuhanga told journalists today that he had instructed his bank to return the money to the account through which the money was sent.

Karuhanga said he decided to return the money after consulting his voters on the matter. He said the money was a bribe meant to compromise legislators and voters.

The vocal legislator appealed to President Yoweri Museveni to reconsider his position on the Bill to give Uganda a chance to experience a peaceful hand over of power for the first time in the country's political history.

"In 1966, Milton Obote used guns to remove Sir Edward Mutesa from power. In 1971, Idi Amin used guns to remove Obote from power. In 1979, guns were used to remove Amin. In 1979, the military commission removed Yusuf Lule and Godfrey Binaisa in 1980. In 1985, Tito Okello used guns to remove Obote. And in 1986, Museveni used guns to remove Okello. This cycle must end. The age limit gives us the opportunity to end it," Karuhanga said.

The MP said his constituency is overwhelmingly against the Bill.