Earlier this week, several Members of Parliament reportedly received Shs 100 million each as a gift from President Yoweri Museveni. The revelation was made by the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Joel Ssenyonyi.
According to Ssenyonyi, the money was offered as a token of appreciation for the MPs’ role in passing the controversial Coffee Amendment Bill, which resulted in the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) being mainstreamed back under the Ministry of Agriculture.
Speaking to NTV earlier today, Mityana Municipality MP Francis Zaake said the matter stemmed from a caucus meeting convened by the Government Chief Whip, Denis Obua. During discussions chaired by President Museveni, while the MPs were deliberating the amendment of the UPDF Act, some National Resistance Movement (NRM) legislators—and a few from the opposition—demanded payment for supporting the Coffee Bill.
“They had previously been promised Shs 100 million. But during discussions on the UPDF Act amendments, they still insisted on more—pushing the figure to Shs 200 million,” Zaake said.
Yesterday, Parliament denied any such payments to MPs. “Ignore rumors that MPs have been paid Shs 100 million for passing the Coffee Bill,” said Chris Obore, Director of Communications at Parliament. “Whoever is alleging should respect the public by providing evidence rather than spreading propaganda. MPs receive statutory payments through the Clerk to Parliament, and via official payslips. The rest is recycled propaganda.”
Obore added: “Politics in Parliament is about persuading colleagues to see your point of view. It’s about balancing interests, bargaining, and brokering consensus. If you can’t do that, you’ll yell and achieve nothing. Not even blackmail will help. Populism alone isn’t enough.”
Zaake, however, emphasized the need for MPs to defend themselves. “Parliament has never admitted to taking bribes, even though we all know it lacks independence. The executive continually manipulates the legislature,” he said.
“I can assure you that the money was indeed received by several MPs. These are not just words—I’m confident that all NRM MPs got the cash. I’m ready to face disciplinary action or go to court to prove this. The money reached not only NRM MPs but also independents and opposition members aligned with the ruling party,” Zaake insisted.
In a show of dissent, more than 31 opposition MPs signed a resolution during their caucus earlier today, vowing not to accept the alleged Shs 100 million payout being offered to NRM, independent, and so-called ‘friendly’ opposition legislators.
