News reaching our desk indicates that notices awarding Telecom company MTN the contract to pay for MPs data and social media tax have been pulled down from Parliament’s notice boards where they had been pinned.
Meanwhile, Speaker of parliament ,Rebecca Kadaga has vowed to block the decision by Parliament’s Contracts Committee to use taxpayers’ money to give free Over the Top Services (OTT) and internet data to MPs in the 10th Parliament.
The Speaker made the remarks on Thursday shortly after meeting with members of the Uganda Parliamentary Press Association, an umbrella body for journalists who cover Parliament.
Kadaga said the decision by the Contracts Committee to award a deal to MTN Uganda to supply free internet and OTT services to MPs will have to be scrutinised afresh, on grounds that MPs should be in position to pay for the services as part of their legislative duties.
She also said the controversial decision was made by the Contracts Committee of Parliament and not the Parliamentary Commission. However, it’s not clear whether the Parliamentary Commission was consulted or not.
“I am glad you are saying it is Contracts Committee. I haven’t seen the agreement but I don’t believe that the public should pay OTT for MPs. I don’t support it,” Kadaga said.
She added: “I don’t agree with that decision and I am going to investigate who took that decision and if there is a contract, we will have to scrutinise it because I don’t believe tax payers should pay MPs’ taxes, that is our duty because we are carrying out our duties.”
Earlier, Robina Nabanja, the Kakumiro Woman MP and member of the Parliamentary Commission defended the move, saying it is right for the house to pay for the legislator’s OTT and provide them data through tax payer’s money since they are not doing personal work, but work for Ugandans.
However, MPs that include Buhweju MP;Francis Mwijukye , Manjiya county MP John Baptist Nambeshe, Western Youth MP; Mwine Mpaka and James Waluswaka ;the Butaleja West MP are against the move.
