Kakoba’s woes outside parliament
May 20, 2011
IF you have been wondering why after losing their seats, former MPs suffer more than the ordinary Ugandan, Buikwe North MP Onyango Kakoba gives an explanation.
By VISION REPORTER
IF you have been wondering why after losing their seats, former MPs suffer more than the ordinary Ugandan, Buikwe North MP Onyango Kakoba gives an explanation.
Kakoba, who lost his seat in Parliament 10 years ago and fought his way back in 2006 and recently in 2011, says although MPs get bigger salaries than many of the other employees, it is peanuts.
An MP gets sh14m monthly, but Onyango says it is not enough. “You have people in the constituency you look after, like students whose fees you pay. You also contribute to parties and funerals. Within seven days, you have used up your salary,†he says.
“There are other employees, like executive directors of organisations who get the same or slightly bigger salaries and lead better lives when they retire because they don’t share their resources with the communities.â€
Kakoba confesses that life became rough when he lost the seat. He says he made many mistakes, including misusing his income.
“I used my money to finance projects in the constituency instead of monitoring government’s programmes.â€
As a result of poorly managing his resources, Kakoba was not in good financial shape after losing the seat.
He also recalls that resettling into the society was not easy for a man who had been in the top class.
To deal with the challenges, Kakoba decided to pursue further studies, which helped him reduce stress.
Although he was struggling with funds, Kakoba said that he fought hard and kept all his children in high standard but affordable schools.
Experience is the best teacher, Kakoba said that when he got back to Parliament, he developed financial discipline and has been saving part of his salaries to prepare for the hard times.
IF you have been wondering why after losing their seats, former MPs suffer more than the ordinary Ugandan, Buikwe North MP Onyango Kakoba gives an explanation.
Kakoba, who lost his seat in Parliament 10 years ago and fought his way back in 2006 and recently in 2011, says although MPs get bigger salaries than many of the other employees, it is peanuts.
An MP gets sh14m monthly, but Onyango says it is not enough. “You have people in the constituency you look after, like students whose fees you pay. You also contribute to parties and funerals. Within seven days, you have used up your salary,†he says.
“There are other employees, like executive directors of organisations who get the same or slightly bigger salaries and lead better lives when they retire because they don’t share their resources with the communities.â€
Kakoba confesses that life became rough when he lost the seat. He says he made many mistakes, including misusing his income.
“I used my money to finance projects in the constituency instead of monitoring government’s programmes.â€
As a result of poorly managing his resources, Kakoba was not in good financial shape after losing the seat.
He also recalls that resettling into the society was not easy for a man who had been in the top class.
To deal with the challenges, Kakoba decided to pursue further studies, which helped him reduce stress.
Although he was struggling with funds, Kakoba said that he fought hard and kept all his children in high standard but affordable schools.
Experience is the best teacher, Kakoba said that when he got back to Parliament, he developed financial discipline and has been saving part of his salaries to prepare for the hard times.