The high court in Kampala has ruled that the controversial service award given to former Leader of Opposition Mathias Mpuuga and three other Commissioners of Parliament was lawful and proper.

The decision followed a suit filed by Daniel Bwette, a youth activist, who claimed that the award was illegal and unconstitutional.

In dismissing the petition, the High Court judge, Justice Douglas Singiza, said that the award was approved by parliament as part of the executive budget, making it legal payment for these services.

The High Court affirmed the legality of the service award, emphasizing the powers of the Parliamentary Commission and the established legislative processes that approved the payment.

The court stressed that among its equal rights, as noted in Administrative Act 3 (4)(c), the Parliamentary Commission is responsible for determining benefits and allowances for the Leader of Opposition plus other Members of Parliament whom they represent.

In May 2022, Speaker Anita Among, together with four commissioners on the Parliamentary Commission, passed an approval giving a one-time service award amounting to UGX500m each to Mathais Mpuuga and UGX400m each to Prossy Akampurira, Solomon Silwany, and Esther Afoyochan, respectively.

However, the decision has continued to stir controversy, with some questioning the timing and rationale behind the award.