How your MP spent the development fund
Aug 29, 2007
PEOPLE from almost all constituencies have been asking how their Members of Parliament spent the latest Constituency Development Funds (CDF).
By Apollo Mubiru and Joshua Kato
PEOPLE from almost all constituencies have been asking how their Members of Parliament spent the latest Constituency Development Funds (CDF).
The CDF is an annual fund given to MPs primarily for income generating activities and charitable organisations. The MP is supposed to provide accountability for the funds every year. Each MP is allocated sh10m.
The current Parliament has 330 MPs. A total of 215 are directly elected constituency representatives, 80 are district women representatives, workers, the youth and persons with disabilities have 5 representatives each, while the army is represented by 10 people.
There are also 10 ex-officios, who are not entitled to the CDF.
In June 2007, the annual CDF was deposited on the MP’s accounts. The Government spent at least sh3b on this venture.
According to guidelines regulating the use of the fund, every MP must have a five-member committee from his constituency which decides how the funds should be spent.
Sh10m, especially in a village constituency, can do a lot of things.
For example, if one engages in promoting the growing of local chicken, every sub-county can receive at least sh1m for constructing a mother shelter and buying at least 200 chicken.
If one is promoting conventional growing of pineapples, sh1m per sub-county or parish is enough to acquire 20,000 suckers, which is enough to fill up at least four acres of land.
However, some residents say the money was never spent as required.
“Where is our CDF, we have never seen it,†wonders a resident of Buikwe North, a constituency of Onyango Kakoba.
“In Pader, only the woman MP has implemented CDF, what are the other MPs doing?†asks Gatete.
Although some MPs do not admit it, some of them have spent the funds on alcohol with their constituents. Weddings, burial arrangements for constituents also accounted for a big amount. But some MPs spent it well by revolving funds for their constituents. In Kawempe Division North, residents benefited from Latif Ssebagala’s.
“He has been supporting us for a long time. He gave our football team, Kisaasi Rangers sh200,000,†says Ibrahim Ssajjabi, the team treasurer.
Another example is Kagoma MP Frederick Mbagandi Nkayi. “He set up a committee to handle the revolving fund, and some youth groups have already received the funds,†says Edwardo Masokoyi, a constituent.
In Nakaseke District, woman MP Rose Namayanja, is running a local chicken enhancement programme. The benefiting groups include Nambega Tweggate Women’s Group in Kassangombe sub-county.
In Wakiso district, woman MP Rose Sseninde also spent her CDF mainly on women’s groups.
“She has been touring the district and discussing development issues with women. She visited us in Kasanje sub-county on the shores of Lake Victoria and gave our Women’s group support,†says a woman beneficiary.
Many MPs spent the money on starting new demonstration farms, or consolidating what they had.
In Bugabula South, MP Asuman Kiyingi used the funds to set up a demonstration farm for his constituents. Residents say they have seen the farm and are set to due to benefit from it.
MPs speak out on how they spent the fund
Mugumya Magulumaali, Kooki County (Independent)
- I used some of the money to extend electricity throughout my constituency. I also consolidated three processing factories in the constituency. These include a vegetable oil refinery, a cereals mill and an animal feeds mill. I think that these projects will help my people develop.
Erias Lukwago, Kampala Central Division (DP)
- I am already assisting orphans, both as individuals and in orphanages around the constituency. I am also assisting several religious establishments in the constituency.
Christopher Kibazanga-Busongora (FDC)
- I have to set up a committee and then I will pass over the burden of giving the money to people and let them account for the funds.
Jane Alisemera, Woman MP Bundibugyo (NRM)
- I have acquired land to start a demonstration farm for women to rear goats, pigs and chicken. I want my women to learn how to sustain themselves by earning a living through small scale farming. My plan is to supply the animals to households in a revolving manner. I have also made donations to churches.
Nathan Igeme Nabeta Jinja East MP (NRM)
- I programmed it in such a way that the money is given out in a 10-month period. I have made some donations to churches and other youth and women groups that are engaged in developmental programmes.
Latif Ssebagala-Kawempe North (DP)
- I already had a CDF running, under which I give money to at least 20 development groups every year.
Elijah Okupa- Kasilo County(FDC)
- I have been to Kagwara and Agule, where I gave money support some projects there. I also supported youth organisations that are engaged in planting oranges and mangoes. Two students from Katungulu and Bugondo have also benefited from the fund.
MP Onyango Kakoba-Buikwe North (NRM)
- I have not spent the money because we need to put in place a committee to decide on which activities to invest in. The money should be spent with well-stipulated guidelines. I will hand over their money.
Local Leader requests people to write back and
confirm if what the MPs are saying is true.
Send an SMS or call 0712841688
PEOPLE from almost all constituencies have been asking how their Members of Parliament spent the latest Constituency Development Funds (CDF).
The CDF is an annual fund given to MPs primarily for income generating activities and charitable organisations. The MP is supposed to provide accountability for the funds every year. Each MP is allocated sh10m.
The current Parliament has 330 MPs. A total of 215 are directly elected constituency representatives, 80 are district women representatives, workers, the youth and persons with disabilities have 5 representatives each, while the army is represented by 10 people.
There are also 10 ex-officios, who are not entitled to the CDF.
In June 2007, the annual CDF was deposited on the MP’s accounts. The Government spent at least sh3b on this venture.
According to guidelines regulating the use of the fund, every MP must have a five-member committee from his constituency which decides how the funds should be spent.
Sh10m, especially in a village constituency, can do a lot of things.
For example, if one engages in promoting the growing of local chicken, every sub-county can receive at least sh1m for constructing a mother shelter and buying at least 200 chicken.
If one is promoting conventional growing of pineapples, sh1m per sub-county or parish is enough to acquire 20,000 suckers, which is enough to fill up at least four acres of land.
However, some residents say the money was never spent as required.
“Where is our CDF, we have never seen it,†wonders a resident of Buikwe North, a constituency of Onyango Kakoba.
“In Pader, only the woman MP has implemented CDF, what are the other MPs doing?†asks Gatete.
Although some MPs do not admit it, some of them have spent the funds on alcohol with their constituents. Weddings, burial arrangements for constituents also accounted for a big amount. But some MPs spent it well by revolving funds for their constituents. In Kawempe Division North, residents benefited from Latif Ssebagala’s.
“He has been supporting us for a long time. He gave our football team, Kisaasi Rangers sh200,000,†says Ibrahim Ssajjabi, the team treasurer.
Another example is Kagoma MP Frederick Mbagandi Nkayi. “He set up a committee to handle the revolving fund, and some youth groups have already received the funds,†says Edwardo Masokoyi, a constituent.
In Nakaseke District, woman MP Rose Namayanja, is running a local chicken enhancement programme. The benefiting groups include Nambega Tweggate Women’s Group in Kassangombe sub-county.
In Wakiso district, woman MP Rose Sseninde also spent her CDF mainly on women’s groups.
“She has been touring the district and discussing development issues with women. She visited us in Kasanje sub-county on the shores of Lake Victoria and gave our Women’s group support,†says a woman beneficiary.
Many MPs spent the money on starting new demonstration farms, or consolidating what they had.
In Bugabula South, MP Asuman Kiyingi used the funds to set up a demonstration farm for his constituents. Residents say they have seen the farm and are set to due to benefit from it.
MPs speak out on how they spent the fund
Mugumya Magulumaali, Kooki County (Independent)
- I used some of the money to extend electricity throughout my constituency. I also consolidated three processing factories in the constituency. These include a vegetable oil refinery, a cereals mill and an animal feeds mill. I think that these projects will help my people develop.
Erias Lukwago, Kampala Central Division (DP)
- I am already assisting orphans, both as individuals and in orphanages around the constituency. I am also assisting several religious establishments in the constituency.
Christopher Kibazanga-Busongora (FDC)
- I have to set up a committee and then I will pass over the burden of giving the money to people and let them account for the funds.
Jane Alisemera, Woman MP Bundibugyo (NRM)
- I have acquired land to start a demonstration farm for women to rear goats, pigs and chicken. I want my women to learn how to sustain themselves by earning a living through small scale farming. My plan is to supply the animals to households in a revolving manner. I have also made donations to churches.
Nathan Igeme Nabeta Jinja East MP (NRM)
- I programmed it in such a way that the money is given out in a 10-month period. I have made some donations to churches and other youth and women groups that are engaged in developmental programmes.
Latif Ssebagala-Kawempe North (DP)
- I already had a CDF running, under which I give money to at least 20 development groups every year.
Elijah Okupa- Kasilo County(FDC)
- I have been to Kagwara and Agule, where I gave money support some projects there. I also supported youth organisations that are engaged in planting oranges and mangoes. Two students from Katungulu and Bugondo have also benefited from the fund.
MP Onyango Kakoba-Buikwe North (NRM)
- I have not spent the money because we need to put in place a committee to decide on which activities to invest in. The money should be spent with well-stipulated guidelines. I will hand over their money.
Local Leader requests people to write back and
confirm if what the MPs are saying is true.
Send an SMS or call 0712841688