Sources who spoke to the media revealed that members of Parliament collected the disputed Shs100 million between Monday night and Tuesday morning this week. The funds are believed to have been part of classified allocations in a supplementary budget recently approved by Parliament.
National Unity Platform (NUP) President Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu has issued a stern call to opposition legislators—particularly those affiliated with NUP—to not only reject the alleged cash handouts but also publicly denounce the practice.
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Kyagulanyi argued that simply denying receipt of the money isn’t enough, stressing that MPs must accompany their words with visible action. “Just saying you didn’t take the money doesn’t cut it. Our MPs must act with integrity and openly align themselves with the truth—especially considering the critical needs of poor Ugandans who are desperate for improved healthcare, education, and infrastructure,” he said.
While addressing journalists at the NUP headquarters in Makerere-Kavuule on April 16, 2025, Kyagulanyi called for a united and outspoken stand against what he described as “blatant theft in broad daylight.”
“We expect our MPs to take a clear position and publicly condemn this practice. We won’t waste our time defending those who betray the people. Silence will be taken as endorsement,” Kyagulanyi declared. “I urge the public to demand accountability and challenge MPs who undermine their mandate.”
He went on to encourage citizens to remain alert and ensure that those involved in corruption are not nominated under the NUP ticket in the 2026 elections.
“Our people have the ultimate power. Don’t re-elect leaders who misuse public trust. Let this be a wake-up call to organize and vote out the corrupt,” he urged.
Kyagulanyi also criticized President Museveni’s alleged distribution of Shs100 million to individual MPs, which he described as a bribe meant to reward their support for controversial legislation—namely the National Coffee (Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the upcoming UPDF (Amendment) Bill, 2025. These efforts come despite a January 31, 2025, Supreme Court ruling questioning the constitutionality of trying civilians in military courts.
He contrasted the handouts with government poverty alleviation efforts: “Under the Parish Development Model, an entire parish receives Shs100 million to support thousands of people. But President Museveni hands the same amount to individual MPs through secretive channels. It’s disgraceful.”
Kyagulanyi pointed out that the Shs52.9 billion reportedly given to 529 MPs could have been used to fund essential public services.
“That money could have built at least five hospitals like Kiruddu Referral Hospital. Instead, it went to enrich a few,” he said.
Meanwhile, in a press release dated April 11, 2025, President Museveni dismissed the opposition’s outrage—led by MPs such as Muwanga Kivumbi—as misplaced, defending the classified funds as necessary for national security, including procurement and anti-subversion operations.
Kyagulanyi, however, maintained that using classified funds to sway Parliament amounts to corruption that erodes democratic values and sacrifices the welfare of everyday Ugandans.
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