I was seriously perturbed when Parliamentary Speaker, Rebecca Kadaga, announced that the former MPs were to be handshaken with 100 million shillings. Even more disturbing was that some of them had already received half of that money. Are these different Ugandans from the rest of some of us?
This is at a time when the NRM government is refusing to pay some of us our entitlement of the pension and/or arrears. They have been extending, from time to time, the financial quarter for which we are supposed to be paid – for the last four years now. This is really a travesty of the highest order.
These former MPs had their pensions and other emoluments aside from now giving them a handshake. If some of them have become broke, that should not be Government’s concern. Or, to put it in another way, when some of us, former Civil Servants become broke, we should also be rescued with a handshake. Government should not simply select a few disgruntled Ugandans to settle their issues! Are we not Ugandans?
This smacks of bribery for political reasons; and not that these former MPs did work for the country for which they should be paid. These fellows served the nation for, at most ten years. What about some of us who have served for more than 30 years?
Somebody in Government should develop a rational sense for patriotism and nationalism for the people of this country who deserve to be compensated, other than those who are selected to be bribed.
Justina Nakato, Former Civil Servant, Kabarole
