Clerk to Parliament has written to MPs to account for twenty million shillings wired to their accounts.

In a communication dated May 12th, 2020 by the Clerk to Parliament, Jane Kibirige, MPs who had already used the money by May 5th have been asked to provide accountability.

Kibirige also informed MPs who hadn’t returned the money by May 27th, 2020 to provide accountability.

President Museveni last week wrote to the speaker Rebecca Kadaga informing her that the money she authorize to MPs was done illegally.

Museveni explained that he was not consulted as President of the country to approve the monies (Shs10Bn).

The President then went on to tell the Speaker that he had ordered the auditor general to audit MPs.

Speaker Kadaga and Parliamentary Commission had issued guidelines to MPs on the utilization of the Shs20M that was advanced to each of them for the fight against Covid-19.

Early this month, the speaker recounted about the meeting that led her to facilitate MPs.

Kadaga narrated: “A meeting between the President, myself and the Prime Minister, yesterday, discussed the role of MPs in the fight against the Covid-19. Pursuant to that the Parliamentary Commission has charted out the following guidelines:”

She explained:

(1). MPs shall be incorporated in District task forces

Special interest group MPs will be incorporated in the National Task force.
(2). An MP will spend the Shs20M only on interventions meant to support the national response; in respective districts.
(3). MPs will agree with District Taskforces on what best to spend on; e.g food.

(4). Accountability will be copied to and received by the Chief Administrative Officer; and originals to Parliament.
(5). MPs shall adhere to Govt guidelines.
(6). Each MP shall use his/her ID to travel & join respective district task forces.

MPs Odonga Otto, Ibrahim Ssemujju, Asuman Basalirwa and Ssewungu Gonzaga took to the podium to demand for respect for Kadaga.

Ssemujju moved: “The purposes of this motion is to advise the President that he must use the official channels of communication when he wants to communicate to Parliament. We don’t expect a head of state to join a mob of those throwing mud at Parliament.”

Aruu MP Otto echoed: “The Speaker has the highest potential to be the president of this country. So they are trying everything possible to undermine the her achievements.”

The actions of the trio forced NRM to return to the house this week with a motion by Bonny Okello to pay tribute to President Museveni for his exemplary leadership in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic in Uganda.

Parliament has overwhelmingly passed the motion to pay tribute to Museveni for his continuing exemplary and insightful leadership during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Following Gerald Karuhanga’s ruling that saw court issue court order blocking Parliament from utilizing the Shs10Bn, Kadaga blasted: “I’ve also complained about attacks on Parliament by the Judiciary and the Executive. Further, I’ve told MPs to only adhere to the guidelines that I gave them; on how to expend the Shs20m that each received.”

Ntungamo Municipality MP Gerald Karuhanga during a news conference at Parliament on Friday, hailed: “I am appreciative that they now know that there is a court of law, however, they need to respect it.”

Karuhanga explained: “I am surprised that the clerk to Parliament is now saying if you have the money return it as if they weren’t aware of the court order that was issued before.”

He said: “The Parliament administration seems not to know the weight of a court order.”