MPs should get loans for cars
Dec 31, 2006
SIR — I have read with interest the developments at parliament and the feud over a tax-free grant of sh60m for MPs, to enable them buy cars.
SIR — I have read with interest the developments at parliament and the feud over a tax-free grant of sh60m for MPs, to enable them buy cars.
The MPs are responsible for discussing and approving the budget. I have inquired and confirmed that when the MPs approved the budget, there was no item for MPs’ cars. Where then do they expect the Minister of finance to get the money that they are demanding for?
It is about time our leaders did what is right, as opposed to what is ‘politically correct’.
Please MPs, our legislators, be realistic, stick to the rules and cease demanding for what you know to be beyond the powers of the Minister of Finance. let us learn to measure our pockets against the size of the cloth. When one is an MP, which I was for a decade, there is a tendency to be detached from reality, especially where remuneration is concerned.
It is a pity that at that level, we tend to be selfish. My observation so far is that the majority of Ugandans, who bear the bigger percentage of taxes, are fed up with the unending demands of MPs. We must as a nation, think of planning for a parliament that is affordable, to match our needs with the available resources.
Anybody who ventures into becoming an MP should have the capacity to support him or herself, including the capacity to arrange for the purchase of a vehicle. In the Sixth parliament (1996-2001) the MPs were given a loan of up sh48m to purchase vehicles, but not all of them took this loan.
In the Seventh parliament (2001-2006), the MPs were given a taxable grant of sh20m, towards the purchase of vehicles.
Now in the Eighth parliament, where MPs are earning better than the MPs before them, wish to receive sh60m each for the purchase of vehicles. Is this not asking an already stretched nation for far too much?
My advice as a former MP, is that parliament reverts to what was done in the Sixth parliament — give MPs a loan which should be payable within the remaining life of parliament.
Timothy Lwanga
Former Minister of State Ethics and Integrity
The MPs are responsible for discussing and approving the budget. I have inquired and confirmed that when the MPs approved the budget, there was no item for MPs’ cars. Where then do they expect the Minister of finance to get the money that they are demanding for?
It is about time our leaders did what is right, as opposed to what is ‘politically correct’.
Please MPs, our legislators, be realistic, stick to the rules and cease demanding for what you know to be beyond the powers of the Minister of Finance. let us learn to measure our pockets against the size of the cloth. When one is an MP, which I was for a decade, there is a tendency to be detached from reality, especially where remuneration is concerned.
It is a pity that at that level, we tend to be selfish. My observation so far is that the majority of Ugandans, who bear the bigger percentage of taxes, are fed up with the unending demands of MPs. We must as a nation, think of planning for a parliament that is affordable, to match our needs with the available resources.
Anybody who ventures into becoming an MP should have the capacity to support him or herself, including the capacity to arrange for the purchase of a vehicle. In the Sixth parliament (1996-2001) the MPs were given a loan of up sh48m to purchase vehicles, but not all of them took this loan.
In the Seventh parliament (2001-2006), the MPs were given a taxable grant of sh20m, towards the purchase of vehicles.
Now in the Eighth parliament, where MPs are earning better than the MPs before them, wish to receive sh60m each for the purchase of vehicles. Is this not asking an already stretched nation for far too much?
My advice as a former MP, is that parliament reverts to what was done in the Sixth parliament — give MPs a loan which should be payable within the remaining life of parliament.
Timothy Lwanga
Former Minister of State Ethics and Integrity