Leader of Opposition in Parliament Joel B. Ssenyonyi has submitted a petition to the Inspector General of Government (IGG), Beti Kamya, calling for an investigation into allegations that Members of Parliament received cash “handshakes” of UGX 100 million each.
In his petition dated April 29, 2025, Ssenyonyi raised serious concerns about the legality and transparency of these payments, which are rumored to have been given to MPs across political lines, including those from the ruling party, National Resistance Movement (NRM), opposition parties, and independents, as a reward for supporting the controversial Coffee Amendment Bill.
The bill, which passed recently, abolished the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) and transferred its functions to the Ministry of Agriculture. Allegations have surfaced that MPs were financially incentivized to ensure its passage.
Ssenyonyi further outlined the areas that need to be investigated and urged the IGG to investigate, like clarity on the source of the funds, the government entity that authorized the disbursement, and the specific budget appropriation from which the UGX100 million cash payments were drawn.
“Identify the specific source of these funds. Which government ministry, department, or agency authorized the disbursement? From which budget appropriation was the money allocated?” Ssenyonyi wrote.
He cited the nighttime cash payments as further evidence of irregularities, urging the IGG to investigate what he called illegal disbursements and assess whether any legitimate, publicly disclosed justification, such as parliamentary or constituency work, exists.
“This is a matter of national interest. Release the full list of MPs who were paid this money because huge sums of public money appear to have been distributed without transparency or accountability. The public deserves to know the truth,” Ssenyonyi stated.
In response to the allegations, Parliament’s Director of Communications, Chris Obore, dismissed the reports as “recycled propaganda,” claiming that MPs receive only statutory remunerations through government-sanctioned avenues.
’’Disregard the fabricated reports that MPs were bribed UGX 100 million to vote for the Coffee Bill,’’ Obore stated. Whoever is spreading such should show respect to the public by coming with evidence, not propaganda. MPs receive statutory remittances through the Clerk to Parliament and in the form of a payslip. The rest is recycled propaganda.’’
He stated, “Politics in Parliament is about persuading colleagues to consider and adopt your perspective. It involves reconciling differing interests, engaging in negotiation, and reaching mutual agreement.”
President Museveni, in response to the reports, explained that classified funds are for national security and related activities, and not for such handouts.
The petition now places significant pressure on the IGG to conduct a swift and credible investigation. The outcome is expected to have major implications for public trust in Uganda’s legislative institutions and could determine whether meaningful accountability is achieved or whether confidence in Parliament continues to deteriorate.
