The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has advised that the Shs 500 million that was given to former leader of opposition Mathias Mpuuga by Parliament was done outside the law.
In a statement, ULS, said under the law such an award would have been given under a special bill introduced by the executive since it was a new emolument.
ULS also cites the precedence in the case of Parliamentary Commission Vs Mwesigye Wilson which held that emoluments of MPs can only be altered by a bill or motion introduced on behalf of the executive.
“Therefore, to the extent that there was no Bill or motion presented on behalf of the executive in relation to the impugned ‘Service Award’ emoluments, they constitute an illegal charge on the Consolidated Fund of Uganda and ought to be thoroughly investigated,” ULS said in a statement issued by its president, Bernard Oundo.
Mpuuga and his supporters have maintained that the money was obtained lawfully since the parliamentary commission has powers to determine emoluments of MPs and in this particular case, it did.
His party, the National Unity Platform argues that the award was illegal and constitutes an act of corruption. It has called upon Mpuuga to resign as commissioner of Parliament.
ULS urged Parliament to stick by the constitutional and statutory laws governing the determination of MPs emoluments and to lead by example in demonstrating proper and economical use pf public funds.
