The Attorney General and Speaker Rebecca Kadaga have disagreed on the contentious Shs10 Billion cashed to legislators.

The Attorney General, William Byaruhanga warned Parliament and Speaker that any money spent after the 21 April 2020 amounts to contempt of court.

High Court Judge, Esta Nambayo, Tuesday ordered that Shs10Bn Parliament allocated to MPs be stopped pending her ruling.

Byaruhanga said that the Clerk to Parliament has presented evidence to him showing that the Shs10 Billion was paid on 17 April and yet the court order was issued on 21st April 2020.

The Speaker deferred with the Attorney General saying that the court order was issued after the money had already been sent. Kadaga argued that the decision cannot be binding on members who are not part of the suit.

“That court order was overtaken by events. However, that court order is binding and it is incumbent to parliament and government that the court order is respected contrary of which, tantamounts to contempt of court.”

Kadaga countered: “By interfering with the Shs10 billion, the judge is interfering with the whole supplementary of Shs304 billion. That means it is all under injunction. It was all in one bill.”

She asserted: “Accountability of this money shall be made to the accounting officer of Parliament with the copy to the chief administrative officer of the district. MPs will adhere to the government guidelines on Covid-19 and shall not distribute food and organise meetings.”

Kadaga maintained: “The MPs will spend the funds advanced by the commission on the interventions meant to support the national response to Covid-19 in districts. The needs of one district may not be the needs of another. Each district will determine how to use the funds.”

Speaker stated: “We agreed on how best the activities of Parliament can be incorporated in those being implemented by the government structures. MPs will join and be incorporated in the district Covid-19 task forces as members.”