Kampala, Uganda | NOW THEN DIGITAL — Uganda’s Parliament Speaker, Anita Among, recently presented five state-of-the-art Land Cruisers to former speakers of the August House, in an expenditure exceeding Shs 2.5bn on these Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs).
Notable among the recipients is former Vice President Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi, who held the position of parliamentary speaker from 2001 to 2011. Other distinguished individuals, such as Moses Kigongo, the first national vice-chairman of the NRM and former vice-chairman of NRC, and Edward Rugumayo, were also in attendance to take delivery of their respective vehicles.
Even former Speaker Rebecca Kadaga, though absent from the handover event, received a Land Cruiser, each valued at no less than Shs 500m.
Speaker Anita Among underscored that the replacement cycle for these vehicles is set at five years, with the expenses for the former speakers’ drivers, vehicle upkeep, and fuel to be covered by the taxpayers. “You are the property of Parliament,” Among emphasized, expressing the commitment to provide necessary support to the beneficiaries.
The Administration of Judiciary Act, enacted in 2020, extended benefits to several former speakers who were not originally covered by the pension scheme in place at that time. Former Speaker Kadaga noted in 2020, during the consideration of the Administration of Judiciary Bill, that the legislation failed to account for a specific group – the former Speakers of Parliament.
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Among this group are individuals such as Hajji Moses Kigongo, who served as the Vice Chairman of the National Resistance Council (5th Parliament) from 1980 to 1996, and Francis K. Butagira, who chaired the National Assembly (4th Parliament) from 1989 to 1985, along with Edward Rugumayo, Chairman of the National Consultative Council (3rd Parliament) from 1979 to 1980.
According to existing law, former Speakers are entitled to various benefits, including an annual housing allowance of Shs 300m, a monthly pension of Shs 6.7m (totaling Shs 80.4m annually), and an annual medical treatment fund of Shs 6.4m. Other privileges include two police guards paid Shs 1.1M per month, a senior personal secretary with an annual salary of Shs 10.8m, Shs 10m every five years for furniture purchase, Shs 8.4m for utilities, and two domestic servants each earning a monthly salary of Shs 696,666, amounting to Shs 8.35m annually.
