On 26th May 2011, newly elected Members of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda are reported to have suspended recording of Parliamentary proceedings to discuss their personal welfare including tax breaks, increased pay and interest free loans at the cost of the tax payer. Reports in the mainstream media indicate that some opposition MPs and some ruling party MPs put forward these offending proposals after throwing out the media, blacking out television coverage and suspending formal recording of proceedings in the Hansard. This comes at a time when Ugandans are burdened by endemic corruption and struggling to have one meal a day due to soaring food and fuel prices. It is an outrage which concerned citizens must condemn.
Honourable MP
I am writing to express my outrage at the news that Members of Parliament are seeking to increase their emoluments in the face of rising inflation. Reports in the mainstream media indicate that some opposition MPs and some ruling party MPs put forward these offending proposals after throwing the media out of Parliament, blacking out television coverage and suspending formal recording of proceedings in the Hansard. It is further reported that in this blacked-out session, MP's prioritized their personal concerns including:
Softer loans and tax free luxury vehicles for themselves;
Advance payments of up to UGX 50 million each to cushion themselves from high interest rates that the rest of us pay to get a bank loan and;
An increase in their pay checks to buffer themselves from double digit inflation.
If these reports are accurate, then it appears that MPs have prioritized their personal concerns ahead of those of their constituents in a very selfish and greedy manner. All Ugandans are affected by inflation, high interest rates and taxes. We sent you to Parliament to address concerns that affect us all and not to sit behind closed doors and improve your personal welfare through lavish spending of public funds at our cost. These reports have cast a dark shadow over the August House at a time when government has failed to offer meaningful solutions to corruption, soaring fuel and food prices affecting constituents.
I would like to express my discontent directly to you as a concerned citizen and a voter. It is my duty to request that your voice be heard on the floor of Parliament condemning any proposal that will add to the burden that we are already suffering under an unresponsive government.
