Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Joel Ssenyonyi, has raised concern over alleged secret payments of Shs100 million to some Members of Parliament.
He said the money was meant to reward MPs for passing certain laws and to secure support for others still under discussion.
Ssenyonyi said most of the MPs who reportedly received the funds were from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), with a few from the opposition.
He mentioned the controversial Coffee Bill as one of the laws linked to the payments.
He also warned of more money being promised ahead of votes on proposed changes to the UPDF Act, which would allow civilians to be tried in military courts, something the Supreme Court has previously ruled against.
In a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Ssenyonyi said the payments were being made secretly.
He said some officials were trying to influence MPs’ decisions without public knowledge. He described the situation as unethical and a danger to Parliament’s independence and Uganda’s democracy.
To support his claims, Ssenyonyi shared a video recorded at Parliament on the night of Monday, April 7th. In the footage, several MPs are seen arriving late in the evening, carrying bags.
The video has since attracted wide attention, with many online users suggesting it shows MPs collecting the alleged Shs100 million.
Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa dismissed the claims as “street talk.”
He said he would not comment on unverified rumours and noted that all parliamentary financial transactions are properly recorded.
Government Chief Whip Hamson Obua also denied the claims, asking the opposition to provide evidence.
“Parliament follows formal procedures on payments. If these claims are true, let them show the evidence,” he said.
The issue has raised public concern, especially given the country’s economic situation.
With 556 MPs in the current Parliament, if each were to receive Shs100 million as claimed, the total would exceed Shs55 billion.
