The National Unity Platform (NUP) party has criticized the government and General Museveni’s regime for lack of direction and clearly shown that, they have failed to prioritize citizens who are in direct need of services like hospitals, schools, and roads, among others in favor of purchasing Ex-Speakers’ cars worth billions of shillings.

While speaking to Secretary General, Lewis David Rubongoya in a phone interview on Tuesday, December 19, 2023, he said that, it is shameful that Ex-Speakers were given cars at this time, adding that, they condemn it in the strongest terms. He, however, said that, they are not surprised that government has chosen to ignore citizens and prioritized Ex-Speakers who already have enough.

“It is very shameful and not surprising at all to us, because like we have been saying, the regime is not really going to prioritize the citizens. They don’t relate with the pain people are going through. Rebecca Kadaga is a sitting Minister and still earning while Edward Ssekandi has benefits as a former Speaker with full security, why give them cars?” Rubongoya queried.

He added that, the Parliament enactment on pensions is there for Ex-Speakers to get cars, though the main concern for the population is the timing, noting that, the regime claims they don’t have funds to repair Kampala roads which are in a sorrow state but have gone ahead and purchased cars in billions.

“The Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Finance and Treasury in a video was seen saying that, they have made a resolution not to purchase anymore vehicles because of challenges in the economy and all that, but these are public funds they are using to do these, all these are just contradictions and lack of direction by the regime,” Rubongoya said.

According to Robert Kyagulanyi, the leader of NUP party on his social media handle (X) has also criticized government and questioned its priorities on spending amidst the regime’s claimed cash-strapped challenges.

Kyagulanyi on December 18, 2023, noted that, citizens are dying of hunger in the different parts of the country, and all government’s priority is to purchase brand new cars for Ex- Speakers.

“The regime can barely offer any meaningful services to the people, and what do they do, spend billions to purchase luxury cars for former Speakers of Parliament,” Kyagulanyi tweeted.

He added that, some of the former Speakers still hold government jobs and already have convoys with drivers and guards following them around, noting that, each week, Ugandans wake up to a new kind of scandal, and new heist by criminals in power.

“I ask citizens, what can you do, and yes, the citizens of this country must rise up and say enough of this madness,” Kyagulanyi noted.

The Speaker of Parliament, Anita Annet Among, handed over five brand new cars to former Speakers of Parliament including Edward Ssekandi, Edward Rugumayo, Al-Hajji Moses Kigongo, Francis Butagira and Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga on December 18, 2023, saying that, the fuel cost, maintenance, and the drivers’ salaries will be taken care of by Parliament.

Parliament under the Parliamentary Pensions Act expanded beneficiaries to include all Speakers who had served Uganda since 1979.