A week of fierce denials, political finger-pointing, and presidential insinuations has blown the lid off what some insiders are now calling an “open secret” within Uganda’s Parliament: Members of Parliament allegedly received Shs 100 million each as a “gift” for passing the controversial Coffee Amendment Bill and to grease the wheels for approving the even more contentious UPDF Amendment Bill of 2025.
The latter, a bill aiming to reinstate the trial of civilians in military courts—struck down by the Supreme Court in January—has drawn heavy fire from legal experts and rights defenders.
But beyond the constitutional debate lies a monetary scandal stirring deep questions about power, patronage, and political manipulation at the highest levels of Uganda’s legislature.
DENIALS AND DEFLECTIONS
The uproar began when opposition MPs accused President Yoweri Museveni’s govern- ment of disbursing more than Shs 55 billion through “classified channels” to ensure passage of both bills.
Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa swiftly denied the allegations.
“As the leadership of the House, we are responsible for what is budgeted and appropriated. I haven’t received a single coin, nor a call about money meant for me,” Tayebwa said defiantly.
“If someone has my money, let them bring it. But don’t involve Parliament in your private dealings.” Tayebwa wasn’t alone. Several MPs echoed the same denial—until a letter from President Museveni seemed to lend weight to the claims.
MUSEVENI HINTS AT PAYOUTS – THEN SHIFTS BLAME
In a letter aired on UBC, Museveni appeared to acknowledge, without confirming outright, the existence of the payouts. Instead, he turned the tables on opposition MPs, accusing them of hypocrisy.
“The FRONASA-NRA combatants fought for 17 years without pay. A general in the UPDF was earning just over Shs 2 million until 2022,” Museveni wrote. “Now, these opposition MPs want to talk about Shs 100 million? Have they ever spoken out against foreign money being used to influence our politics?”
In that same breath, Museveni painted his critics as silent beneficiaries of external interests—an accusation that subtly repositions the narrative from domestic corruption to global interference.
QUIET TRANSACTIONS, LOUD CONSEQUENCES
Behind closed doors, sources inside Parliament told The Observer a different story. Several MPs and staff allege that money was quietly distributed at night, with MPs entering the building late and leaving with “bags.”
“I’ve never seen that many MPs show up at Parliament after midnight,” said one insider. “They weren’t here for debate. Everyone knew something was happening.”
According to multiple MPs who spoke anonymously, the Shs 100 million was part of a broader, informal agreement with Museveni.
The president, they say, has long opposed formal salary increases for MPs—arguing that public backlash and pressure from civil servants make such moves politically costly. Instead, the deal was struck to provide annual “tokens” in cash, away from the spotlight.
“It’s a workaround,” one MP revealed. “Since 2022, when we got Shs 40 million, and then Shs 100 million last year, this has been the trend. It’s not just for NRM members—op- position MPs get it too, although they often deny it.”
OPPOSITION COMPLICITY AND SILENT DEALS
The revelations complicate the public posture of Uganda’s opposition. One female MP acknowledged that while some opposition figures genuinely reject the cash, others quietly accept it while maintaining a stance of indignation.
“When the issue goes public, they panic. But in private, many want their share,” she said. “And no, the money isn’t returned if they refuse to collect it. It’s simply redistributed— or pocketed by someone else.”
There’s even speculation that the leak to the press may have been a political maneuver— possibly by those hoping to re-route unclaimed funds or expose rivals.
FALLOUT AND PUBLIC DISCONTENT
The alleged payouts come at a time when civil servants, particularly teachers, health workers, and judicial officers, are calling for wage increases amid soaring living costs. Public sector frustration is palpable.
In earlier private meetings with parliamentary leadership, Museveni reportedly insisted that raising MPs’ official pay would spark a domino effect—pressuring him to raise wages across the public sector.
This, he argued, would stoke unrest and strain the national budget. Thus, a quid-pro-quo emerged: keep salaries static, but compensate discreetly. Yet, to many, the optics of backdoor bonuses are worse than a formal increment.
They signal an elite insulated from the financial hardships felt by ordinary Ugandans and cast doubt on the independence of Parliament—particularly when major legislation hangs in the balance.
THE REAL COST OF ROYALTY
The implications go beyond one-off scandals. If lawmakers are voting under the influence of undeclared cash incentives, the integrity of the legislative process is at stake. It raises troubling questions: Are key national laws being passed not on merit, but on money?
What happens to transparency when Parliament becomes a quiet recipient of off-the-books compensation? In a country where 27 per cent of the national budget is financed through grants, loans, and external support, the growing perception of institutionalized patronage could have lasting consequences—not just for Uganda’s reputation, but for its governance.
For now, Museveni’s critics are calling for accountability, while the President continues to deflect, challenging them to examine their own allegiances. As the dust settles, one truth remains: the Shs 100 million saga has opened a rare window into the transactional undercurrents of Ugandan politics—and it’s not going away anytime soon.
Parliament has lost its constitutional oversight role, as it no longer checks the excesses of the executive. Museveni is the one doing oversight over parliament! Let’s face it; Parliament is a dead institution and one of the most scandalous (in the world), in prostituting its role to the highest bidder. When BBC Focus on Africa reported to the world the underhanded sh.100m deal, it sounded so ridiculous and primitive that a modern parliament, which should be the voice of the voiceless, has been rented to serve the greedy and unconscionable top NRM fat cats. No wonder, when civil servants ask their MPs to pressure Museveni to consider enhancing their miserable, poor pay, Museveni swears that the increment will only be over his dead body, and MPs predictably chicken out. Have you heard them pressing for a salary increment? No wonder, Muhoozi described them as clowns!
Do we need MPS? They are there only to negotiate their salaries. This is the most inept and corrupt Parliament in the world Even the poorer of the poorest country such a thing has never heard of. We should not even call them honourables because they do not deserve such a name they are a bunch of greedy petty thieves without any shame. They would sell their children even their parents for a pittance. Please voters do not send them back. They have done nothing apart from taking care of their interest at our own expense.
Now NRM supporters are you really still happy and proud of this leadership with all this downright thuggery? I do not feel sympathetic with you when you complain of misery etc in this country at least I did not vote or support NRM. It is your own doing.