Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, has dismissed as false the widespread claims that legislators received Shs100 million each as a bribe for passing the controversial Coffee Bill and in preparation for the proposed amendment to the UPDF Act.
Speaking during Wednesday’s plenary session, Tayebwa addressed the allegations head-on.“We are responsible for what is budgeted and appropriated and only expenditures done by Parliament,” Tayebwa said firmly.
“I will not sit here and I start legitimizing street talk. Because I’m a member of Parliament. Listen, I’m a member of Parliament. I have not received any coin, neither have I received a call from anyone who has my money. If you know you have my money, please bring it,” Tayebwa stated, refuting the rumors that have dominated social media in recent days.
The accusations have stirred controversy, with Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Rt. Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi, making serious claims about MPs receiving Shs100 million in exchange for supporting the Coffee Bill and preparing for the UPDF Act amendment. This amendment, according to Ssenyonyi, would allow civilians to be tried in military courts, a move that is controversial despite a Supreme Court ruling against such trials.
Ssenyonyi claimed that both NRM MPs and a few opposition legislators were part of the alleged payout scheme. The money was reportedly drawn from the Shs4.9 trillion supplementary budget approved last month.
“We’ve received credible information. NRM MPs, and even some opposition ones, are receiving Shs100 million. It’s a thank you for the Coffee Bill and a down payment to push the UPDF Act amendment,” Ssenyonyi said during a press conference on Tuesday.
Sources close to the matter allege that the MPs collected their money from Level 4 at the Office of the President or, in the case of opposition and independent MPs, from the Speaker’s residence in Nakasero.
In response to these serious allegations, Parliament’s Communications Director, Chris Obore, took to social media to reject the claims. In a post on X, Obore stated:
“Ignore rumors that MPs have been paid Shs100m for passing the Coffee Bill. Whoever is alleging should respect the public by providing evidence other than propaganda. MPs receive statutory payments through the Clerk to Parliament & by way of a payslip. The rest is recycled propaganda.”