MPs are running deals to pay loans – ACFIM reveals 

SecretsKnown, a publication by the Alliance for Finance Monitoring (ACFIM) , an NGO that follows money in politics including political parties and elections, has revealed why MPs are not attending parliament.

The speaker of parliament, Anita Among has since decried the perpetual absenteeism of ministers and Members of Parliament (MPs) which has paralyzed parliamentary business.

According to the publication, the majority of the MPs and ministers are indebted to money lenders and banks because of loans accumulated during electoral campaigns; thus spend their first three years in parliament engaging in deals and establishing business networks to recover their resources and prepare for the next election.

This consequently pushes them away from consistent attendance of parliamentary sessions as per their oath and social contract with voters.

The organization further condemns the perpetual absenteeism of the legislators and ministers saying it is a waste of taxpayers’ money that is spent on their salaries and other emoluments.

“SecretsKnown asserts that the continuous obtaining of salaries and other emoluments of MPs and ministers while absent from duty/ constitutional mandate is absolute thuggery and also a form of corruption. Such impunity and behavior among MPs and ministers should not be tolerated.” The report reads in part.

Figures show that each member of parliament is entitled to a consolidated pay of Shs25 million, a monthly gratuity of Shs950,000 , town run allowance of about Shs 1 million, Shs2.6 million, an IPad, medical cover, and travel allowances among other emoluments.

Written by Ritah Kemigisa