The outgoing Leader of Opposition, Matthias Mpuuga has disagreed with the allocation of vehicles to all former Speakers of Parliament reasoning that this is a double lien on the public consolidated funds and thus a waste of tax payer’s money.
Mr. Mpuuga urged that there are former Speakers who are still serving in government for instance the Rebecca Kadaga who is still a minister and Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi who is also serving as a senior presidential adviser and are still enjoying privileges and when you give them such another privilege it put a strain to the public fund.
“ The matter of giving such privileges should be referred back to Parliamentary commission for debate because it contravenes the law. If for instance someone is still serving government in another senior capacity, they he/she shouldn’t be entitled to such privilege because she/ he has a good government vehicle and other benefits like free fuel.’’ Mr. Mpuuga reasoned.
He further said, ‘’ the legal mind must break down this in the parliamentary commission in charge of privileges in consultation with the Attorney General to get his opinion, otherwise there’s infringement on the law basing on the double charge on the public consolidated fund.’’
The LoP also questioned the timing of the event asking how long should a person who served the nation with due diligent safer before she/ he is given his entitlement, he cited out the case with senior citizens like Professor Edward Rugumayo who has stayed for a long period without enjoying such privileges.
Darwin Ssebadduka the LC I chairman agreed with Mr. Mpuuga saying that it’s a strain to the tax payers that such money should have been allocated to the betterment of social services like construction of school premises and hospitals or refurbishing of roads.
He said that this is a clear indication that government minds so much on only the very elite yet the ordinary person is grappling with lack of medicine in the health centers and the UPE schools are also lacking the necessary scholastic materials.
By Dailystarnewsug.com reporter