Details of MPs’ pay and benefits have been made public for the first time in more than two decades, reigniting debate over Parliament spending as the 12th Parliament begins work.
A June 5, 2026 circular signed by Clerk to Parliament Adolf Mwesige sets out the salary, allowances, vehicle facilitation and other benefits awaiting legislators.
The circular, addressed to all MPs, also directed members to submit their bank details to Parliament and the Ministry of Finance to enable payment of the new benefits, starting with May.
“The parliamentary commission has started paying your salary and emoluments effective from the start of the 12th Parliament. Salary and monthly emoluments are paid not later than the 15th day of the month and the payslips are usually emailed to the members immediately after it has been confirmed that the money has reached the members’ bank accounts,” Mr Mwesige said.
MPs to Receive Shs300m for Vehicles
The most prominent benefit in the circular is the contribution towards motor vehicle purchase.
Mr Mwesige informed MPs that each legislator has been allocated Shs300m in the 2026/27 financial year to support the purchase of a vehicle.
He said the money is a one-off payment during the term of a Parliament.
“Sh300m has been provided in the budget of the parliamentary commission for the financial year 2026/27 for each member. The money shall be paid as soon as it is released by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development,” Mr Mwesige said.
With 557 legislators, including ex-officios, the vehicle scheme alone will cost taxpayers more than Shs167b.
Parliament has previously defended the vehicle facilitation as necessary for MPs to travel to constituencies and carry out oversight duties.
However, the expenditure has often attracted criticism from members of the public and governance analysts.
Monthly Salary and Facilitation
According to the circular, each MP will receive a taxable monthly basic salary of Shs11.18m.
Under Uganda’s Pay As You Earn system, where a 40 percent tax rate applies to income above Shs10m, each MP will take home about Shs7.806m in net salary.
Beyond the salary, MPs will receive several non-taxable facilitation allowances.
The largest is constituency facilitation of Shs23.53m per month.
Mr Mwesige said the money is intended to support MPs’ engagement with voters and constituency activities.
MPs will also receive Shs2.43m per month as town-running facilitation.
This allowance covers movements within Kampala and a 50-kilometre radius around the capital.
Since many MPs come from outside Kampala, they will also receive a monthly housing allowance of Shs6.5m.
Together, the salary and listed monthly facilitation payments amount to Shs43.64m before mileage, medical cover, committee benefits and other payments are included.
On average, an MP earns between Shs70m and Shs80m excluding mileage, medical and vehicle allowances.
Mileage Rates to Increase in July
The circular also confirms that MPs will receive mileage facilitation.
Mr Mwesige said the amount will depend on the distance from Kampala to the furthest point of an MP’s constituency, using the most direct and motorable route.
“The routes and distances to your constituencies will be communicated to each member by email,” he said.
MPs are currently paid Shs4,863 per kilometre on tarmac roads and Shs5,124 per kilometre on murram roads.
Starting in July, Parliament will raise the rates to Shs5,836 per kilometre on tarmac roads and Shs6,149 per kilometre on murram roads.
Country and special interest group MPs will receive additional mileage of 800km and 1,400km respectively to cover movements within their constituencies.
Women representatives from districts with one county will receive 800km.
The mileage issue has long generated debate. MPs argue that fuel support is necessary because of large constituencies, poor road networks and rising fuel prices.
In an interview with New Vision last week, Parliament’s director of finance, Patrick Kunobwa, said mileage rates are reviewed periodically.
However, he said they cannot be adjusted every time fuel prices change.
Mr Kunobwa said road travel rates can remain unchanged for up to two years. He added that rates for MPs travelling by water are reviewed more often because fuel costs can be tracked more directly.
Amuru District Woman MP Lucy Akello told New Vision that the current mileage and fuel allowances are based on outdated fuel prices.
She said Parliament previously calculated fuel at about Shs3,500 per litre, yet prices have since risen to between Shs7,000 and Shs8,000 in areas such as Amuru.
Committee Leaders to Receive Extra Pay
Committee leadership roles will also attract additional monthly payments.
According to the circular, committee chairpersons will receive a monthly honorarium of Shs3.2m.
Vice-chairpersons will receive Shs2.4m.
Both chairpersons and deputies will also earn higher sitting allowances whenever committees meet.
Committee chairpersons will receive Shs60,000 per sitting.
Vice-chairpersons will receive Shs55,000, while ordinary members will receive Shs50,000.
The circular also outlines annual gratuity payments.
Government front-bench MPs will receive gratuity equivalent to 40 percent of their basic salary.
Other MPs will receive 30 percent.
Mr Mwesige said gratuity will be paid at the end of each financial year in June.
MPs who travel outside Kampala on official parliamentary duty and spend a night away from the capital will receive a subsistence allowance of Shs400,000 per day.
Parliament Budget Rises to Shs1.23 Trillion
For the 2026/27 financial year, Parliament was allocated about Shs1.23 trillion.
This is up from Shs1 trillion in the 2025/26 financial year, representing an increase of about Shs200b.
Provisional figures show that the Office of the Speaker, under Jacob Oboth, has been allocated Shs28.5b.
The Office of the Deputy Speaker, under Thomas Tayebwa, will receive Shs21.68b.
The Office of the Leader of Government Business, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, has been allocated Shs5.2b.
The Office of the Leader of Opposition in Parliament, headed by Joel Ssenyonyi, has been allocated Shs4.2b.
For MPs, including ex-officios, the allocation stands at Shs744.4b.
The budget for MPs’ salaries is Shs74.7b.
Medical expenses have been allocated Shs12.1b, while workshops, meetings and seminars have been allocated Shs3.8b.
Entertainment and welfare will take Shs1.9b.
The MPs’ travel abroad budget stands at Shs16.7b, while inland travel is allocated Shs831.6m.
The budget for burial of MPs has been fixed at Shs282m.
Analysts Question Parliament Spending
Political analyst Charles Rwomushana criticised the system that allows Parliament to determine its own pay.
He said the principle was originally intended to protect Parliament’s independence and impartiality.
“The whole principle of Parliament determining their emoluments and pay was to keep it independent and impartial. Unfortunately, they have betrayed us. They determine their pay and still go to the Executive to beg. How can you earn all this money and still go to the Executive to beg for money and positions?” Mr Rwomushana said.
Governance analyst Henry Kasacca said Parliament’s budget has continued to grow while MPs prioritise their own needs.
He said this comes at a time when many voters continue to face serious service delivery challenges.
“Financial discipline in Parliament has been going down. There’s lack of a sense of prioritising issues that affect voters. They think that because the voters over-burden them with demands, they should increase their pay to meet them rather than ask the state to handle them,” Mr Kasacca said.
The disclosure is likely to intensify public debate over MPs’ pay, Parliament’s budget priorities, and the cost of political representation in Uganda.
