Elias Luyimbazi Nalukoola was officially sworn in as the Member of Parliament for Kawempe North constituency by the Speaker of Parliament on Wednesday this week.
Upon being sworn in, the Speaker of Parliament directed the Clerk to provide Nalukoola with all his benefits, including money for a vehicle and fuel.
"The Clerk to Parliament is directed to provide Nalukoola with all his privileges as a Member of Parliament with immediate effect. This includes a new car to facilitate his movement while carrying out his representation duties for the people of Kawempe North,” Ms. Among said.
Reports now indicate Nalukoola will receive 300 million Uganda shillings for the vehicle and, on top of that, receive 55 million shillings as salary for March, despite taking office just four days before the end of the month.
The money to be availed to Nalukoola has since sparked controversy among social media users and NUP supporters.
Many believe he should not receive the March salary as he did not work for it and should return it to save taxpayers' money.
"Politicians, politicians! They are all the same. Why receive 55 million shillings when you never worked for it? He should take the money back and save it for us, the taxpayers," one Kifsra Alwani wrote on social media.
Known President Museveni critic Hillary Taylor wonders why Nalukoola should be taking the money for the car when he already owns luxurious rides.
"Nalukoola has failed the first test. I expected him to reject the UGX 300 million for the car to cut government waste since he already owns a Range Rover, but his body language (& his wife’s) told a different story! @eliasnalukoola, you don’t need a new car for the 9 months remaining to the end of this 11th parliament term!" he wrote on his X account.
Under parliamentary rules, a Member of Parliament is provided with 300 million Uganda shillings for the purchase of a car upon taking the oath of office as an MP.