The Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Anita Among today handed over Five (5) brand new vehicles to retired Speakers in a move to make their retirement life better.
The beneficiaries of this handover include Prof. Edward Rugumayo who served as chairman of the National Consultative Council (NCC), Amb. Francis Butagira who served as speaker between 1981-1986, Al-Hajji Moses Kigongo who served as Vice Chairman of the National Resistance Council (NRC) between 1986-1996, HE. Edward Kiwanuka Sekandi who served in the 7th and 8th Parliament, and Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga who served as speaker in the 9th and 10th parliament of Uganda.
During an interaction meeting before the handover ceremony at Parliament, Among indicated that the move which involved amendment of the law to include all surviving speakers is meant to deviate from the practice of appreciating leaders while they are still alive.
Valued at 600million each, the brand new Land Cruiser SUV comes with a driver paid by Parliament, fuel provided by government, and free maintenance. Among noted that the cars will be replaced with new ones after every five years but in case it gets any problem, the retired Speakers can return the vehicle for a new one.
“It is always a good practice to appreciate people while there are still alive and not when they are gone. As Parliament of Uganda, we thought it wise to appreciate you while you are still alive” Among told her predecessors sitting in the boardroom of her office but in absence of only one -Rt Hon. Rebecca Kadaga.
She also noted that the handover is in line with the Parliamentary Pensions Act (2007) which was amended to extend the benefits to all former speakers and families of those who died before it came into place.
The amended law entitles both monetary and non-monetary benefits for retired Speakers to all speakers who either died in office or in retirement. Among thanked members of the Parliamentary Commission for expediting the process of amendment to have retired Speakers live a comfortable life in retirement.
She made exceptional appreciation remarks to president Yoweri Museveni for assenting to the amended law but also allowing it to be applied in a retrospective manner. According to Among, the families of the late James Wapakhabulo, Francis Ayume and Alex Waibare who died before enactment of the law.
However, president Museveni was not listed among the beneficiaries yet he presided over the 5th Parliament during NRC days from 1986-1996. It is however documented that Al-Hajji Moses Kigongo who was the Vice Chairman chaired most of the meetings.
Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga -a no show at the handover:
The one retired Speaker who missed out at the handover is Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga. While handing over the cars in the main parking of Parliament, Among stated that the handover of Kadaga’s vehicle had been postponed to a later date when she avails herself.
Ever since she lost the speakership, Kadaga has been scarce at Parliament only appearing at events she must attend. The last time which was her second appearance (physically) in Parliament was during a special sitting as Parliament eulogized Hon. Henry Kyemba. Kyemba was an icon of Busoga sub-region where Kadaga hails from.
