Museveni To Back Movt MPs In Polls

PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has agreed to facilitate pro-Movement MPs in the coming parliamentary elections, sources said yesterday, writes Felix Osike. Museveni made the pledge at a meeting with the parliamentary Movement Caucus at the International Conference Centre on Wednesday. "The President said he will mobilise some money for MPs who supported him in the last elections," a source who attended the closed meeting said. Museveni said the money would reportedly be given to MPs who support government programmes and share his vision in his manifesto. There are over 200 Movement MPs in the House of 280 members. Museveni also agreed to intervene in the controversial motor vehicle loan scheme, which MPs say had reduced their earnings. A select committee comprising of caucus chairman Felix Ogong, National Political Commissar James Wapakhabulo, Attorney General Bart Katureebe, and the Minister of Finance, Gerald Sendaula, was formed to advise on the matter. The committee will soon meet the President. The Auditor General last year accused some MPs of inflating vehicle invoices to acquire more than two cars. As a result, the values of the vehicles declared for taxation was much lower. A total of 284 MPs benefited from the sh12.7b scheme. Of this only sh5b had been recovered in principal and interest by last year. The Government paid sh18m to each MP, an amount later written off from their accounts. The Government guaranteed the loans of up to sh 48m to the MPs at an interest of 12%. Ends