Drama surrounding the age limit debate and consultations is yet from over after Members of parliament opposed to the proposed Bill vowed to return the money released to facilitate their consultations to the clerk to parliament.
On Monday, the Clerk to Parliament, Jane Kibirige received Shillings 13 billion to facilitate the MP to consult their voters on the Constitutional (Amendment) (No.2) Bill, 2017. Each MP is entitled to receiving 29 million Shillings of this.
Parliament also set 15 days from October 25 to November 8, 2017 for the consultations. The Private Member's Bill tabled by the Igara West MP, Raphael Magyezi, is before the legal and parliamentary affairs committee for scrutiny. The bill seeks to among others amend Article 102 (b) of the Constitution, which caps the presidential age at 75 years.
Despite claims that the money was disbursed, some of the legislators rushed to their banks and found empty accounts. Those opposed to the bill, say it is better for the money not to reach their accounts since they don't need special funds for their consultations
They say they stand with their earlier resolve to reject the consultation money. Medard Lubega Sseggona, the Busiro East MP, says he will withdraw the money and return it to the Clerk to Parliament once it hits his account.
Mathias Mpuuga, the Masaka Municipality MP describes the facilitation money as blood money. He says taking the money would be sowing a seed of corruption.
Florence Namayanja, the Bukoto East MP, says she will not take the money since parliament has been providing them money to carry out their legislative work.
Moses Kasibante, the Rubaga North MP, says providing the legislators a special budget for consultations is a clear sign of bribery. He says there is no need to spend such a huge amount on the consultations when legislators are well facilitated.
Monicah Amoding, the Kumi County MP and member of the ruling National Resistance Movement party who is opposed to the bill, says they will communicate their stand on the money this morning.
But Workers MP, Sam Lyomoki says they are planning to use the money on different charity projects to benefit Ugandans. The Maracha East MP, James Acidri told us he doesn't need the money since he has been consulting his voters without the money.
"In my constituency, I don't even need time because everybody has rejected it. I have been consulting, so I know the positions of people what I need is maybe officiate It" said Acidri.
However, some of the NRM MPs in favor of the bill have welcomed the facilitation. Simeo Nsubuga, the Kassanda MP, says he will spend the money on his consultations.