Leaders from several opposition political formations have strongly criticized the proposal by the Parliament of Uganda to increase the vehicle allowance for Members of Parliament from UGX 200 million to UGX 315 million, describing the move as insensitive and wasteful amid pressing national needs.
This concern was voiced today, 13th March 2026 during a press conference at Oryx Gardens in Bukoto, Kampala by representatives from political groups including the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), and Alliance for National Transformation (ANT).
They revealed that in January 2026, the Parliament of Uganda approved a significant increase in the car grant for lawmakers set to serve in the 12th Parliament. Under the new arrangement, taxpayers will provide UGX 315 million to each of the country’s 529 Members of Parliament to purchase personal vehicles, up from the UGX 200 million allocated to MPs during the 11th Parliament.
Speaking at the briefing, Innocent Barigye, a former candidate for Western Uganda Youth Member of Parliament on the ANT ticket, argued that while the arithmetic of the proposed increment is straightforward, its ethical implications are troubling.
Barigye noted that the additional UGX 115 million proposed for each MP could instead address urgent public needs, including renovating hundreds of dilapidated primary schools across the country.
“The widening gap between leaders and the citizens they serve cannot continue to be ignored. Public service should be about sacrifice, not personal enrichment. By pushing for UGX 315 million for a single vehicle, our leaders are signaling that their comfort matters more than the services they were elected to deliver,” Barigye said.
The Opposition leaders called on the Parliamentary Commission and the executive arm of government to halt the proposed increment, retain the previous vehicle allowance, and even consider reducing it, urging that any funds saved be redirected to important sectors such as health and education.
“We demand that the billions that would be spent on this luxury should instead be redirected to critical sectors such as health and education. Parliament could also consider adopting a pool-vehicle system or a more sustainable procurement model that protects taxpayers’ money,” Barigye added.
They also appealed to citizens from different walks of life including health workers, vendors, business people, and members of various political parties to join them in advocating for greater accountability in the management of public funds.
This decision has since sparked debate among political leaders and sections of the public, with critics arguing that the funds could be better utilized to address pressing social and economic challenges facing the country other than fulfilling the personal luxurious interests of the elected MPs.
The proposed vehicle allowance increase has reignited calls for transparency and responsible governance, highlighting the need for leaders to prioritize the nation’s urgent social and economic challenges over personal comfort.
As public debate continues, citizens and policymakers are being urged to demand accountability, ensuring that taxpayer funds are directed toward essential services and the well-being of all Ugandans rather than serving the personal luxury interests of elected MPs.
