The Buliisa District woman Member of Parliament (MP), Ms Norah Bigirwa Nyendwoha, is confused about what to do with the Sh20m that parliament gave to all legislators to sensitise their constituents about coronavirus.
The Executive directed the MPs to take the money to the District COVID-19 Taskforces in their home districts while the Judiciary ruled that they must return it to parliament.
Addressing the nation on the state of Covid-19 in Uganda recently, President Yoweri Museveni, said that the legislators’ act was “reprehensible.”
The presidential and judicial statement and verdict respectively angered the Speaker of Parliament, Ms Rebecca Alitwali Kadaga, who said that the two arms of government had “attacked parliament”, thus, threatening to expose the Executive’s unmatched colossal expenditure.
She instructed the MPs to use the money since the legislature is an independent arm of government.
Since then some MPs have either returned the money to parliament, some have handed it to District COVID-19 Taskforces while others are still keeping it on their bank accounts until the three bodies settle the matter.
Ms Nyendwoha says until Parliament agrees with the Executive and the Judiciary, she will not use the money but instead keep it on her bank account.
“We have been receiving confusing statements and being given different directives on the Shs20m. This requires us to get proper directives and guidelines before we spend it,” she told the Buliisa District COVID-19 Taskforce after delivering her personally donated foodstuff.
The MP who donated three tonnes of maize flour worth Shs8m, urged the taskforce to continue sensitising the community about preventive measures against coronavirus.
Ms Nyendwoha also asked well-wishers to donate generously to the vulnerable people of Buliisa during this time of COVID-19.
Bunyoro –Kitara Kingdom recently donated 175 litres of sanitisers, 500 pieces of face masks, one infrared thermometer and pieces of gloves while World Vision donated items worth Shs21.5m.
Sheikh Yahaya Mugisa from Masindi, a one Atuhaire and Mr Allan Munaku each donated one tonne, 600kgs and 500kgs of maize flour respectively.
