Kampala, Uganda – Former Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Hon. Winnie Kiiza, has delivered a sobering message to current legislators, saying they should start preparing for their retirement.
“Start preparing for retirement before your terms expire.”
Kiiza remarked while addressing Members of Parliament during a one-day training session on the Parliamentary Pension Scheme, held at Parliament.
The session aimed to sensitize lawmakers about financial planning, pension benefits, and sustainable exit strategies from political life.
“Power is sweet, but it doesn’t last forever,” Hon. Kiiza emphasized.
“The tragedy is that many of us only realize too late that we never planned for life after Parliament. Retirement should not find you unprepared.”
Winnie Kiiza, who served in Parliament for only two terms and made history as Uganda’s first female Leader of the Opposition, spoke candidly about the emotional, financial, and social challenges that can follow life in politics.
Her message, though received with applause by some, reportedly stirred quiet discomfort among others, highlighting a critical, yet often ignored, subject in Uganda’s political circles: life after public office.
The training comes at a time when some MPs are likely to lose their seats in the next election cycle due to internal party restructuring and growing public demand for performance and accountability.
For many, this could mean a sudden end to the privileges and income they have grown used to.
The Parliamentary Pension Scheme, although established to offer financial support after service, remains underutilized or misunderstood by many MPs, something Kiiza warned could be dangerous.
“It’s heartbreaking to see former MPs struggling with basic needs just a few years after leaving Parliament. Some are reduced to beggars,” she noted.
“Start saving, investing, and planning today. Parliament is not a lifetime career.”
Kiiza’s remarks have sparked conversations among political analysts, civil society actors, and the public at large, with many calling for mandatory financial literacy training for all incoming MPs.
While Uganda continues to grapple with unemployment and a strained public pension system, calls are growing for all public servants, especially those in powerful positions, to lead by example in financial responsibility.
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