The Government Chief Whip Denis Hamson Obua has categorically dismissed allegations that National Resistance Movement (NRM) Members of Parliament (MPs) are set to receive UGX 100 million each for passing the contentious Coffee Bill and supporting the UPDF Amendment Bill.
Speaking ahead of an NRM caucus meeting today, Obua clarified that the agenda strictly revolves around discussing national budget priorities not secret financial incentives.
The allegations surfaced earlier this week sparking a wave of public outcry and heated discussions both online and within political circles.
Opposition argue that such payouts would further entrench corruption and undermine democratic processes in Parliament.
However, Obua has strongly denied these claims labelling them as baseless and aimed at tarnishing the integrity of the ruling party.
“The NRM caucus is meeting to deliberate on issues of national interest particularly the budget framework for the 2024/25 financial year. There is no money being handed out to MPs for supporting any bill,” Obua stated.
The Coffee Bill which seeks to regulate Uganda’s coffee industry has been a subject of controversy with some stakeholders arguing that it could benefit large corporations at the expense of small-scale farmers.
Similarly, the UPDF Amendment Bill which proposes changes to the administration and structure of the Ugandan military has raised concerns among opposition leaders about potential overreach by the executive.
Political analysts suggest that while financial incentives for MPs have been rumored in the past, the government’s swift response to these latest claims indicates growing public scrutiny of parliamentary proceedings.
The timing of the caucus meeting and the secrecy surrounding its agenda only add to the speculation.
As the political storm continues to brew, Ugandans await tangible outcomes from today’s discussions.
