The Association of Parliamentary Alumni of Uganda, a group of former Members of Parliament is requesting President Museveni to honor a past promise. Their request is a service award of 100 million Ugandan shillings (about $27,000) for each former MP.
This plea comes eight years after the President supposedly made this pledge, which some are calling akasiimo, a Ugandan term for a gift or reward.
Jacqueline Kyatuheire, the new chairperson of the association, painted a picture of hardship. She stated that the truth is majority of their members are not doing well, arguing that their advanced age necessitates financial support.
Their requests extend beyond the elusive “akasimo.” The former MPs also seek Government-funded burials, Pension expansion amending the current pension scheme to include MPs from the 1st to the 6th Parliament, who are currently excluded and a Health insurance.
However, not everyone sympathizes. Former East African Legislative Assembly Speaker Dan Kidega urges the group to accept their electoral defeats and the changing political landscape. He suggests they help the young leaders know the
priority of the country instead of focusing solely on their own benefits.
