Several Members of Parliament have reportedly received Shs 100 million each as a gift from President Yoweri Museveni, The Daily Star has learned. The revelation was made by the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Joel Ssenyonyi.
According to Ssenyonyi, the money was given as a token of appreciation for passing the controversial Coffee Amendment Bill, which resulted in the mainstreaming of the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) back under the Ministry of Agriculture.
“We have learned that money is surreptitiously exchanging hands in Parliament. Information reaching us indicates that each NRM MP—and a few selected opposition MPs—has been given Shs 100 million as appreciation for passing the coffee bill. This appears to be in preparation for the proposed amendment to the UPDF Act, which seeks to allow the trial of civilians in the Court Martial, despite a Supreme Court ruling against it,” Ssenyonyi said.
The funds were reportedly disbursed ahead of the tabling of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Amendment Bill, 2024. The bill aims to align military law with new government policies and evolving command, control, and administrative structures within the Defence Forces, particularly following the creation of new service branches.
Additionally, the bill seeks to improve the welfare of Defence Forces personnel by addressing gaps in healthcare, decentralizing the Pension Authority from the Ministry of Public Service to the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, and enhancing disability compensation to ensure fair payment for both officers and enlisted personnel.
During the February 22, 2025 National Resistance Movement (NRM) caucus meeting, Government Chief Whip Hamson Obua stated that the party resolved to support the proposed UPDF Act amendments as presented by the Attorney General.
“We resolved that misconduct by serving military personnel will be tried first by the Military Court Martial, with the right to appeal through civilian courts. Civilians found in possession of specified illegal firearms will also be tried first by the Military Court Martial, with the same right of appeal,” Obua said.
Despite the withdrawal of the bill for further review, legal experts stress that any new legislation must not override the Supreme Court’s ruling. Article 92 of the Constitution prohibits Parliament from enacting laws that nullify or overturn court decisions.
