Christmas comes early for former Speakers, receive brand new cars from Parliament

Former Speakers of Parliament have received brand new four-wheeled chauffer-driven cars from the Speaker of Parliament, Rt Hon Anitah Annet Among.

While handing over the vehicles, Among revealed that Parliament will be giving the former Speakers new cars every 5 years, or when a car gets a problem.

According to Among, the cost of fuel, maintenance & salaries of the drivers of the vehicles will be paid by Ugandan taxpayers.

“You will be required to bring your own driver, who we will recruit as Parliamentary staff, Parliament will pay that driver of yours. The car remains a property of Government of Uganda. Parliament will maintain and fuel these cars. But Parliament will after every 5 years be giving you a new car. Or in between when the car gets a problem, you will bring it back and we give you a new car. You are property of Government of Uganda, so we are supposed to look after you,” asserted Among.

The recent enactment of the Parliamentary Pensions Act expanded the beneficiaries to include all Speakers who served Uganda since 1979.

The beneficiaries in that period include President Museveni, Chairman of NRC 1896-1996, Edward Rugumayo Speaker and Chairman NCC from 1979-1980, Francis Butagira 1980-1985, Al Haji Moses Kigongo, Vice Chairman NRC 1986-1996, Edward Ssekandi 1998-2001 Deputy Speaker and Speaker of 7th and 8th Parliament, Hon Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga who served as Deputy Speaker and Speaker.

However both President Museveni and Rt Hon Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga are not eligible for the cars because they are still serving.

The Speaker said that it is important to keep the dignity of former Speakers and Deputy Speakers, but also, a good spirit of appreciating people while they’re still alive.

“It is always good to appreciate people when they are still alive, you did a lot for this country and continuing to do a lot for this country. You have contributed a lot to this country. We don’t want at the time when you are no more, everybody is paying tribute and talking all the good things about you. As the 11th Parliament, we thought it wise to appreciate you when you are still alive,” said Among