Oil bonus: Museveni cautions civil servants

President Yoweri Museveni has issued a stern warning to civil servants who meddle in political matters without express orders from their bosses, saying that it was wrong for the Electoral Commission (EC) lawyer to sue over the controversial sh6b oil cash bonus.

According to Bukholi Central MP, Solomon Silway, who is also the chairperson of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) parliamentary caucus, Museveni described the move by Eric Sabiiti, the EC lawyer, as "unfortunate".

"It was unfortunate that civil servants went to court without the consent of their bosses" Museveni is quoted to have said during the NRM caucus meeting which convened today at State House, Entebbe.

Sabiiti filed an application for which deputy Chief Justice, Steven Kavuma stopped Parliament or any other person from inquiring into the sh6b cash bonus. When his petition courted controversy, Sabiiti withdrew it.

MPs to debate oil bonus

However, the Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga protested Kavuma's order, describing it as "stupid".

Silway told New Vision that during the caucus, Museveni didn't talk about Kavuma's ruling but he didn't have any problem with Parliament debating the bonus which was paid to 42 government officials as a reward for a case that Uganda won against British oil firms.

"The President didn't have any problem with Parliament debating the sh6b payment to government officials. He, in fact, said that we should go ahead and debate it," Silway said.