Originally posted by the Voice of America.
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$2.6 Million Payout to Legislators Angers Ugandan Public

Halima Athumani

   KAMPALA, UGANDA - Uganda's parliament has come under scrutiny after
   legislators allocated themselves a total of $2.6 million to fight the
   COVID-19 pandemic. Lawmakers say the funds are being used to feed
   constituents. But the High Court may order them to return the money.

   Early this month, Uganda's parliament passed a supplementary budget of
   $80.2 million meant to support the fight against the spread of
   COVID-19.

   The budget included $2.6 million in pay to legislators, or about $5,250
   to each member.

   Describing the payout as fundamentally wrong and criminal, lawmaker
   Gerald Karuhanga says parliament violated legal procedures on how a
   supplementary budget is passed and says the money for members was
   smuggled into the budget.

   Karuhanga, speaking to VOA, argues that the $2.6 million should have
   been handed to the Ministry of Health.

   "What message are we sending to the nation? That when people are busy
   donating, we can't donate from what we've earned," Karuhanga said.
   "That we can even easily, take away, literally, even the food meant for
   a patient in intensive care."

   Ssemuju Nganda, the opposition chief whip, says the money is being used
   to feed hungry constituents.

   Nganda says that before the supplementary budget was passed, their
   constituents were thronging their homes, seeking help ranging from food
   to health service requests.

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