MPs’ greed must be curbed

Dec 09, 2001

SIR—Did Miria Matembe, Ethics and integrity Minister of State really say that Ugandans should not blame MPs for hiking their pay because “they paid through the nose to become MPs”?

SIR—Did Miria Matembe, Ethics and integrity Minister of State really say that Ugandans should not blame MPs for hiking their pay because “they paid through the nose to become MPs”? It is by law prohibited and unethical for political candidates to buy votes. Matembe is not only Ethics and Integrity minister, she is also a lawyer and a born-again Christian, she says. She should therefore be honest and tell the public whether she too bought votes, how much she paid, and apologise for breaking the law. Furthermore, if MPs offered money to be elected and now live in mizigo, as the minister alleges, they should have only themselves to blame. If no money had been offered, no voter would have taken it. Voters are not pick-pockets. Of course, the MPs’ action to award themselves a hefty pay was legal and constitutional, but this constitutional right carries with it a lot of responsibility. It is assumed that before determining their emoluments MPs would first find out whether Government would be able to pay without hurting other essential programmes. Being people assumed to have high moral integrity, they should also have been mindful of the plight of other civil and public servants who earn a pittance but still do their public duties with diligence. I am thinking of doctors, teachers and security personnel, among many others. As it is, MPs demanded for over sh7m in pay and other privileges oblivious to the suffering this demand would cause to other Ugandans. Sh4.7m is a whopping 40% rise over the emoluments of the Sixth Parliament. It was tabled before parliament, moved and seconded by ministers and passed without debate!! What pay rise does government give to ordinary mortals? Are ordinary Ugandans slaves of MPs? Mrs Matembe, what deal was cut between the Legislature and the Executive? Now, here is counsel for the public: The MPs’ pay rise is irreversible. We must stop crying over split milk and put the daggers back in their sheaths. Instead, let us put mechanisms in place to prevent a repeat of such selfish and unnationalist behaviour in future. We must ensure that enough submissions are made to the constitutional Review commission to change the relevant article so that the responsibility of determining MPs emoluments is given to some other body. Secondly, the constitution should reduce the number of MPs. William Nyamugasira Kampala

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