Parliament erupted in anger after an opposition leader, Mr. Robert Kyagulanyi of the National Unity Platform (NUP), claimed that each MP received a Shs100 million bribe for approving the contentious Shs3.5 trillion supplementary budget.
Mr. Chris Obore, the House director for communication, strongly refuted the allegation, stating that such insinuations disrespect MPs and tarnish Parliament’s image.
Kyagulanyi’s accusations, including the claim of Shs50 billion discreetly inserted into the budget, have sparked a heated debate over government spending and ethics within Parliament.
Kyagulanyi, already under scrutiny for alleging collaboration between some opposition members and the government, accused the government of allocating funds for questionable projects, including Shs418 billion for President Museveni’s residence.
He asserted that an additional Shs55 billion was included as a bribe, Shs100 million per MP, to secure the budget’s passage.
Despite Kyagulanyi’s bold claims, he failed to provide immediate evidence, urging journalists to verify the information independently.
Mr. Obore challenged Kyagulanyi to substantiate the allegations, questioning the logic of MPs receiving such bribes when the Parliamentary Commission budget remained unchanged.
Mr. Muwanga Kivumbi, Shadow Minister for Finance, echoed Kyagulanyi’s claims of a Shs100 million bribe, alleging the money was hidden under the classified State House portion of the budget.
However, Kivumbi, like Kyagulanyi, provided no evidence to support the allegations.
This controversy rekindles memories of the previous year’s storm when rumors circulated that MPs irregularly received a mysterious Shs40 million.
Kyagulanyi, then and now, stands by his words, contending that his recent remarks on homosexuals during a BBC interview were misinterpreted and manipulated by regime propagandists.