By Leilah Bbaale
The Democratic Party (DP) has criticized the recent decision to provide brand-new cars to former speakers of Parliament. On Monday, Ms. Anita Among, the current speaker, handed over five new vehicles to previous bosses of the August House, with replacements promised every five years.
Among the beneficiaries is Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi, who served as both Vice President and Speaker from 2001 to 2011.
Speaking at the party’s headquarters in Kampala, DP’s acting spokesperson Ismael Kirya called the move a “waste of taxpayers’ money.” He pointed out that all former speakers and their deputies already receive retirement packages, including cars.
Mr. Kirya further argued that this precedent sets a dangerous path, potentially leading former premiers, vice presidents, ministers, and even regional district commissioners to demand similar benefits, burdening the country’s finances at the expense of those most in need.
“It is presumed that each car costs around 600 million shillings which goes to a total of about 3 billion shillings which has been spent on these cars. We want to inform Parliament that you are setting a very bad precedence in the Republic of Uganda,” said Kirya.
During the handover ceremony, Ms. Among defended the decision, citing the recent Parliamentary Pensions Act which expands benefits to include all speakers who served Uganda since 1979.
Other recipients of the new vehicles on December 18, 2023, included Al Haji Moses Kigongo, Rebecca Kadaga, and Professor Edward Rugumayo.
