Kadaga warns MPs against soliciting for bribes in committees
Speaker of parliament Rebecca Kadaga has cautioned parliamentary committee chairpersons and legislators against soliciting bribes from government ministries, departments and agencies in form of field facilitation.
Kadaga is concerned that although the Parliamentary Commission facilitates MPs to conduct field visits, the same receive payments from institutions they are charged with monitoring and supervising which is tarnishing the August House’s image.
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It is normal practice for legislators to bag allowances from government agencies whenever they travel to monitor projects – although they are facilitated by Parliament for the same trips.
“I have received complaints in my office of chairpersons that some committees are taking decisions that bind the House and they take funding from outside and yet the commission facilitates these committees,” Kadaga said.
Kadaga noted receiving cash from government agencies the same MPs are supposed to monitor and supervise was in violation of Rule 84 of Parliament’s rules of procedure.
“I am arranging a meeting of chairpersons and see how we can end this as you carry out your mandate as a member of parliament.”
But Committee Chairpersons and individual legislators have a different view to Kadaga’s position.
Angelina Osega, chairperson public accounts committee said; “that has been a problem since the 9th parliament and I think its not right just to go there to government institutions which compromises our integrity”
SsemujjuNgandamp, Kira municipality; “We had a meeting as whips in parliament with speaker and I want to caution chairpersons and MPs that it’s going to be very difficult for you to demand accountability when you’re not accountable yourself”.
Kato Lubwama mp Rubaga south: “No, that’s a big lie, they don’t want us to supervise them but we’re warning them that we shall go ahead and do our mandate as members of parliament.”
This is not the first time Kadaga is warning legislators against receiving bribes as it was alleged in the 9th parliament of a cross section of legislators who met in one of the hotels in kololo and received huge sums of money to write the Umeme report.
