Anger, complaints and protests

Feb 22, 2008

This was another week of complaints, anger and bribery claims from the legislators. <br>First, if you thought MPs were only good at making laws, you were wrong. The legislators also mind about their diet and value for money.

This was another week of complaints, anger and bribery claims from the legislators.
First, if you thought MPs were only good at making laws, you were wrong. The legislators also mind about their diet and value for money.

Kalangala woman, MP Ruth Kavuma, on Tuesday, complained that the milk served to MPs in committee was dilute and lacked any spices. She called upon Rider Hotel management, the company contracted for canteen services, to shape up or ship out.“Canteen services are very poor. They provide hot water only. The milk is dilute. Rider Hotel management will have to explain why they offer such services to MPs or else we to tell the Parliamentary human resources manager to terminate their services,” she said.

MPs block sh5b to Phoenix
MPS on Wednesday, unanimously rejected Government’s request to give sh5b to Phoenix Logistics, managing director, Yuchi Kashiwada, private manufacturing company. Kashiwada failed to convince the committee on National Economy on the urgency for the government to acquire 47% shares in the company. MPs described Phoenix logistics as ‘loss making company. “The committee cannot accept tax payers’ money to be wasted just like that,” Felix Okot Ogong, MP Dokolo, said.

Otto told to prove bribery claims
The Government has asked Aruu county MP Otto Odonga to prove that some MPs were being bribed to influence the passing of the laws in Parliament .

Prime Minister Prof. Apolo Nsibambi said on Wednesday, the issue was critical and of national importance. “The Government wants you (Otto) to verify the claims in an open session of Parliament,” Nsibambi charged.

Flying school shocks MPs
MPS were, on Wednesday, shocked by the poor state of the infrastructure at the East African Civil Aviation academy in Soroti district.

Touring the structures, MPs on the Commissions Statutory Authorities committee were shocked at the dilapidation and despair that the academy has fallen to.

The academy is one of the few institutions which were saved after the defunct the East African Community in 1977.

URA owes over sh7b to CAA
UGANDA Revenue Authority (URA) owes over sh7bn to Civil Aviation Authority in rent arrears, MPs heard on Tuesday.

The CAA chief executive officer, Ambrose Akandonda, said since 1999 when the tax body started collecting revenue at Entebbe International Airport, URA has never settled its rental obligations. It is almost going to a decade in rent arrears!

“The amount outstanding as of June 30th 2007 is sh7, 702, 305, 700. This has caused financial loss to CAA, the funds could have been used to develop Entebbe International Airport infrastructure,”Akandonda explained.

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