Parliament has defensively explained the reason for the procurement of two splash Mercedes Benz cars meant for the Speaker of the 11th Parliament Anita Among and her Deputy Thomas Tayebwa.

The cars, Mercedes Benz S500 cost were procured at 2.8 billion shillings, and from the United Kingdom (UK) at Shs1.44 billion for each. The rides poses rare features like cameras, ultrasonic sensors, facial recognition, fingerprint scanning and voice-activated commands.

During the State of the Nation address, the Speaker arrived in the black sleek state of the art ride, triggering frustration among netzines who have criticized Parliament’s move to spend billions of shillings on the cars during hard economic times.

After the widespread criticism, a fake post thought to have been authored by the Speaker Among in retaliation to harsh remarks from the public over the said cars, trended on social media platforms.

Among, however dismissed the post as fake and a malicious ploy by her enemies to drag her name in the dust over the costly rides.

Now, the Director for Communications and Public Affairs at Parliament, Chris Obore has explained the circumstances under which the splash rides were procured.

He says the procurement of the cars was not abrupt but already budgeted for to save public resources on the maintenance of vehicles. Obore says the cars were bought to replace old ceremonial cars used by predecessors, that had lasted 10 years and suffered mechanical conditions.

“This is a budget of Parliament which was already by law, meaning money was provided this financial year, We are only replacing the old vehicle of the old ceremonial cars, which keep breaking down.” he said

Obore also hinted on procuring houses for both the Speaker and Deputy, explaining that its wise to stop renting houses.

“Its only Uganda by the way that doesn’t have houses for Speaker and Deputy Speaker, put it this way former bank of Uganda Governor, Mutebile, died did he move with the house? even the former retired Chief Justice left Katurebe left the house for the current CJ. Do you want us to continue paying rent?” he argued