KAMPALA – NRM Parliamentary caucus spokesperson Margaret Muhanga has returned the Shs20 million controversially allocated to MPs despite earlier opposing the move.
Ms Muhanga, who is the Burahya County MP in Kabarole District, returned the money to the Kabarole district Covid-19 taskforce on Friday.
She also donated 6 tonnes of posho to help the vulnerable people who have been affected by measures to stop the spread of Covid-19.
The Kabarole district Covi-19 task force chairman Steven Asiimwe acknowledged receipt of the money.
“We have only received cash of Shs 20 million from Muhanga and other members of Parliament from the district have not returned the money to district Covid-19 task force,” he said.
Ms Muhanga had accused President Museveni of being misled by social media to order the MPs to return the money.
The Parliamentary Commission has written to Members of Parliament and asked them to account for the Shs20 million controversially allocated to them for the fight against coronavirus.
In a May 12 letter addressed to all MPs, Clerk to Parliament Jane Kibirige said those who had not yet utilised the funds by May 5 to pay it to their respective district taskforces in line with the court ruling and the directive of the President.
“Pay the funds to the District Task Force in which the Member of Parliament is incorporated, through the Chief Administrative Officer of that district; for Members of Parliament representing a special interest group, pay the funds to the National Task Force; or, return the funds to the Parliamentary Commission in accordance with the communication from the Clerk to Parliament to Members of Parliament dated April 22,” Ms Kibirige’s letter reads in part.
The Clerk said those who had spent the money before the May 5 court ruling will file accountability showing how they spent the money.
“Please ensure that your accountability is submitted to the Clerk to Parliament/Accounting Officer of Parliament as soon as possible but in any case not later than Wednesday May 27” the letter reads in part.