MPs approve sh3b for Museveni swearing
Apr 13, 2011
MPs on the budget committee of Parliament have approved sh2.8b for the swearing in ceremony of President Yoweri Museveni scheduled for May 12.
By Henry Mukasa and Brenda Aheebwa
MPs on the budget committee of Parliament have approved sh2.8b for the swearing in ceremony of President Yoweri Museveni scheduled for May 12.
The Government had in a supplementary budget request to Parliament asked for sh3b.
MPs were at first divided on the approval of the amount but the Minister for the Presidency, Beatrice Wabudeya, gave a break-down of how the money will be spent.
The committee rejected a proposal that a few members led by the chairperson, Rose Akol, go to the minister’s office to get the details of the expenditure on grounds that they would be accused of bribery.
Barnabas Tinkasimire (NRM), who chairs the presidential and foreign affairs committee, had proposed sh2.5b but Akol argued that sh2.8b would be adequate.
Tororo County MP Geoffrey Ekanya (FDC) bitterly opposed the sh2.8b, saying it was a wastage in the face of absence of drugs and poor maternal conditions in hospitals.
“Women are dying in hospital corridors because of absence of drugs. Madam chairperson, you are a woman and when you cease to be an MP and go to those corridors, you will understand,†Ekanya said.
He added that holding the Bible did not require sh3b.
Ekanya was, however, opposed by Sarah Nyombi (NRM) who said swearing in and maternal health were not related.
MPs were told last week that the sh3b would cater for, among others, 32 heads of state, 15 international high profile figures and maintenance of the eight vehicles each head of state will use.
The MPs also approved sh56b for payment of pension arrears. However, they warned that no more supplementary budget would be allowed for settling pension arrears.
They advised the Minister of Public Service to always foresee the expenditure and include it in the ministry’s budget.
Akol wondered why another sh56b was being sought yet Parliament had in the past approved sh115b to clear all pension arrears.
Ekanya said there were many complaints that the names of persons published as beneficiaries were fictitious.
“50% of these people did not receive their money. They claimed that their accounts had problems,†Ekanya said, adding that arrears cleared so far were skewed towards the central and western regions.
“We will inform the minister to present to Parliament the schedule of people to be paid,†Akol ruled.
The committee also summoned the Minister of Defense, Dr Crispus Kiyonga, to appear before the committee on Tuesday and defend the sh1.7 trillion the Government spent on the purchase of eight fighter jets from Russia.
Kiyonga was reportedly in Arusha, Tanzania and his deputy, Gen. Jeje Odong, could not appear before the MPs.
Kiyonga will be required to report jointly with the Minister of Finance, Syda Bumba.
Akol warned that should the ministers fail to appear on Tuesday, the committee would present its report without their input since it is less than three weeks before the term of the 8th Parliament expires.
MPs on the budget committee of Parliament have approved sh2.8b for the swearing in ceremony of President Yoweri Museveni scheduled for May 12.
The Government had in a supplementary budget request to Parliament asked for sh3b.
MPs were at first divided on the approval of the amount but the Minister for the Presidency, Beatrice Wabudeya, gave a break-down of how the money will be spent.
The committee rejected a proposal that a few members led by the chairperson, Rose Akol, go to the minister’s office to get the details of the expenditure on grounds that they would be accused of bribery.
Barnabas Tinkasimire (NRM), who chairs the presidential and foreign affairs committee, had proposed sh2.5b but Akol argued that sh2.8b would be adequate.
Tororo County MP Geoffrey Ekanya (FDC) bitterly opposed the sh2.8b, saying it was a wastage in the face of absence of drugs and poor maternal conditions in hospitals.
“Women are dying in hospital corridors because of absence of drugs. Madam chairperson, you are a woman and when you cease to be an MP and go to those corridors, you will understand,†Ekanya said.
He added that holding the Bible did not require sh3b.
Ekanya was, however, opposed by Sarah Nyombi (NRM) who said swearing in and maternal health were not related.
MPs were told last week that the sh3b would cater for, among others, 32 heads of state, 15 international high profile figures and maintenance of the eight vehicles each head of state will use.
The MPs also approved sh56b for payment of pension arrears. However, they warned that no more supplementary budget would be allowed for settling pension arrears.
They advised the Minister of Public Service to always foresee the expenditure and include it in the ministry’s budget.
Akol wondered why another sh56b was being sought yet Parliament had in the past approved sh115b to clear all pension arrears.
Ekanya said there were many complaints that the names of persons published as beneficiaries were fictitious.
“50% of these people did not receive their money. They claimed that their accounts had problems,†Ekanya said, adding that arrears cleared so far were skewed towards the central and western regions.
“We will inform the minister to present to Parliament the schedule of people to be paid,†Akol ruled.
The committee also summoned the Minister of Defense, Dr Crispus Kiyonga, to appear before the committee on Tuesday and defend the sh1.7 trillion the Government spent on the purchase of eight fighter jets from Russia.
Kiyonga was reportedly in Arusha, Tanzania and his deputy, Gen. Jeje Odong, could not appear before the MPs.
Kiyonga will be required to report jointly with the Minister of Finance, Syda Bumba.
Akol warned that should the ministers fail to appear on Tuesday, the committee would present its report without their input since it is less than three weeks before the term of the 8th Parliament expires.