Mathias Mpuuga, the Leader of Opposition has said that the discussion around the Shs200million for each Member of Parliament to procure a vehicle was a dishonest conversation noting that the money can only buy a second-hand car in Uganda.
Speaking during the NBS’ Morning Breeze Show, Mpuuga explained that there is a need to wholly discuss the context of the structure of the government and how it has affected service delivery.
Ugandans have been so bitter about Shs200million that was given to 529 legislators and the 26 ex-officio to procure vehicles a time when the country is battling the COVID-19 Pandemic.
However, Mpuuga said that the country needs more than just the Parliamentarians receiving Shs200million to rectify what has gone wrong.
“Shs200million only buys a second-hand car in Uganda. We need an honest way about how it can be done properly. The first budget of Parliament was cut by shs80billion because of COVID-19. The discussion around the Shs200million for MPs to procure vehicles is a dishonest conversation,” he said.
He instead noted that leaders must spearhead justice by speaking about the truth and things that affect ordinary Ugandans adding that politics has become so divisive.
“The President in his state of the nation address was talking like things are normal and whatever took place in the last election was how things should happen. By not talking about it, it means he is aware of who arrested and killed who,” he said.
“What I wanted to bring out in my state of the nation was that Gen. Museveni was speaking of the state of the nation of a different nation, not Uganda. Parliament is a house that houses people from different political groups. As the minority, our duty is to put the record straight on the position taken to defend public interest.”
When asked on what will it take for him to sustain the momentum he has built up to the end of the 5years, Mpuuga said it’s not all about him, adding probably people are used to a one man show.
“I’m building the momentum of colleagues; of the opposite side of Parliament of Uganda, of the Independents, of the civil society, my duty is to offer leadership at the frontline, and at the end of the day, this must come out as a job offered collectively,” he said.
“For you to succeed, you must understand who’s in the house, what are the interests and the capacities in the House.
“I’m below 50 days in the Office of the Leader of Opposition, it takes a smart LoP to master what I have done in this period. I have my script, I’m not reading anybody’s script,” he added.
He noted that he is working as planned, and not about to be hurried to do what people think he should be doing.