When you throw a stone at a pack of dogs, the one that makes the loudest noise is the one that has been hit.
The best Easter gift Ugandans can be proud of is the news about the budget cuts proposal.
There is a plan to cut he travel budget for Parliament by 50% and guess who has led the pack of noise makers? Uganda’s version of Marie Antoinette who has used her office to normalize the abnormal. The one who handles billions of Uganda Shillings transactions like petty cash. Someone who gets paid an international daily travel per diem that covers the salaries of over twenty teachers or better still three years salary of a single teacher. Someone who approves payment of allowances irrespective of whether they were earned or not.
Details of this looting can be found on X under the hashtag #UgandaParliamentExhibition.
The Hon. Speaker is quoted as saying, “Our deduction of 50%, shall we be paid salary? …”
Really? Madam, the communication is very clear. It affects travel. Why then are you trying to raise the tempo by alluding to salaries? We now definitely know that the inflated travel bills are what you use to continually build the near god like cult status you command among all the parliamentarians (Both ruling and opposition MPs including the stubborn Ssemuju who would rather ridicule the Fountain of Honor than you). As a result, you are revered and worshiped like the supreme leader of North Korea, Kim Jong Un.
She was joined by a praise singer in the form of Hon. Sarah Opendi, the Tororo DWMP who for lack of a better word made an utterance that typifies the mental corrosion that grips some individuals upon entry into what should purportedly be an August House. She had this to say, “And the challenge we have in this country is picking people who haven’t grown in public service and placing them in such sensitive positions because a Secretary to Treasury used to rise from down and when you pick someone from somewhere, they don’t respect leaders.”
Hon Opendi, respect? Of all people you the MPs asking for respect? Respect is earned. The things you do have made many of us start viewing you as upgraded peasants who have had a chance to land into a pot with seemingly limitless resources.
You guys have failed to manage yourselves in a dignified manner. Even those we thought were out to fight for the People are also partaking of the ongoing loot after reaching their promised land which they glorified lyrically. You leave us with no option but to disrespect anyone that stands up and calls themselves an Honorable Member of Parliament.
This country is bleeding as a result of leaders who focus on self satisfaction while disregarding the need for collective progress of its citizenry. All that is done is to keep raising taxes and pummeling to pulp those unlucky enough to be found on the wrong side of the tax law while maintaining a blind eye as connected people are not only evading taxes but also getting business deals illicitly despite failing to deliver. Surprisingly, instead of chastising them, we cheer them on. Anyway, what else can a hungry man do when faced with a need to fill the stomach versus doing what is right?
The actions of Parliament have turned it into the workplace of choice for numerous self-seekers, dumb heads, clueless fatheads who look at the easy come easy go income from being a parliamentarian as a ticket to the high life. This makes many journeymen and women do all it takes to become MPs. Right now, numerous constituencies are already experiencing a lengthy lineup of aspirants. In Butaleja District, as of today, fourteen ladies have expressed interest to stand for the District Woman MP role. However, when one sifts through the lineup, you might be tempted to think that over 60% of them are mistaking this undertaking for a beauty contest. One hardly hears any sensible utterances from their mandibles save for foot soldiers who are utilizing every available opportunity to remind us how beautiful they are.
You believe in pushing we the hoi polloi to the limit expecting to milk water out of stone. Now listen!!!!
There is a limit as to how far you can push Ugandans to keep funding the exaggerated lifestyles that typify the rural approach to urban excitement exhibited by most Honourables. Even the President knows it. He will push URA to collect tax but for as long as we can’t utilize the earned money well, a time shall come when Ugandans will simply look on as you guys fail to fund the excesses that typify your gluttonous appetite.
To the President this is what I request;
Cut the fat that typifies government expenditure and redirect the saved money to investments that are of positive impact to the majority.
Cut Government Meetings in Hotels and opt for utilizing ministry Board rooms as well as Government owned facilities.
Cut allowances paid for meetings to workers who are already on Government Service duty and payroll.
Utilise technology to get the best out of the e-government infrastructure to hold meetings remotely in order to cut on travel and accommodation expenses.
Delete the exorbitant national celebrations like Independence Day, Tarehe Sita, Labour Day, Women’s day e.t.c where huge sums are stolen in the name of event organization. A simple ceremony at State House attended by a handful of individuals but broadcast countrywide would for example suffice for Independence day celebrations. The money saved could be used to improve the facilities of at least one referral Hospital each year.
Delete to a bare minimum the number of officials the country sends for international meetings. For example, the 71 member delegation to the UN General Assembly in 2023 that had two purported delegation heads was an embarrassment to the tax payer’s pocket. This was closely followed by a 600 member delegation to the UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai, December 2023.
Cut on your travel entourage both inland and internationally. The other day I watched as your advance team snaked its way through Mukono town and counted a total of 23 cars filled with staff implying fuel, feeding, accommodation, allowances among other expenses and the money each trip your advance entourage spends upon your visits is enough to rehabilitate a Health Center 2 thereby guaranteeing people better health service delivery.
Reduce on the cars assigned to Government workers and officials. Instead enable them purchase their own. This should include even Ministers.
Trim down on the perks given to parastatal heads and technocrats. Most are uncalled for. Imagine the head of one of authorities who has four cars at his disposal. One is his, second one for the wife to use, third one to ferry kids to and from school and a fourth one for shopping.
For sure, The Members of Parliament have been caught flat footed on this one but let them know, we are closely observing their hypocrisy.
To the rest of us, Bess Myerson once said, “The accomplice to the crime of corruption is frequently our own indifference.” These gimmicks by the Parliament are a form of corruption that we should not entertain.
God Bless Uganda
James Wire
X – @wirejames
Threads – @wire_james
The Wire Perspective 