Parliament in Uproar Over Alleged 100m "Coffee Deal" Payments to MPs

Category: Politics
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Kampala, Uganda – A storm has erupted in Uganda’s Parliament following explosive allegations that both ruling party and opposition MPs quietly received UGX 100 million each as a "token of appreciation" for passing the 2024 Coffee Bill, sparking public outrage and fierce denials.  

 How the Scandal Unfolded  
1. Whistleblower Accusations  
   - Butambala MP Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi (shadow minister for accountability) demanded transparency after reports surfaced that MPs took money during the bill’s approval.  
   - Tororo Woman MP Sarah Opendi backed him, stating: "If this happened, it’s corruption—plain and simple!"  

2. Deputy Speaker’s Fury  
   - Thomas Tayebwa dismissed claims as "baseless gossip", warning those linking Parliament to underhand deals:  
     "Name names or face legal action! Don’t tarnish Parliament’s image."  
   - Denied knowledge of any payments, insisting all parliamentary allowances are documented.  

3. Government’s Silence  
   - Sports Minister Denis Hamson Obua, accused of coordinating payments, remained conspicuously mute.  
   - Rubabo County MP Naboth Namanya admitted "hearing rumors" but claimed he’d use any such funds for road repairs in his constituency.  

 A History of Controversial "Bonuses"  
This isn’t Parliament’s first cash scandal:  
- 2005: MPs got UGX 5M each to lift presidential term limits.  
- 2011: Opposition MPs allegedly took UGX 20M to "consult voters."  
- 2017: UGX 29M per MP (totaling UGX 102B) to remove age limits.  
- 2022: UGX 40M payments linked to UGX 77B presidential supplementary budget.  
- 2023: UGX 100M alleged amid UGX 5.2T budget debates (Speaker Among denied this).  


 Public Backlash  
- Social media erupted with MPsForSale trends.  
- Anti-corruption activists demanded audits:  
  "If no money exchanged hands, prove it with bank statements!" – ACFIM spokesperson  
- Coffee farmers fumed: "They get millions while we struggle with low prices!"  

 What’s Next?  
- Accountability Committee pressured to investigate.  
- Civil society groups petitioning IGG to probe alleged bribes.  
- Opposition MPs vow to table motion for transparency.  

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Dan Basimbe

Dan Basimbe is an editor who expertly balances the fast-paced demands of the newsroom with a keen sense of precision and timing. Sitting at the desk, he ensures that news updates are delivered promptly, while also translating key stories into English for a broader audience. With a strong background in both journalism and evangelism, Dan brings a unique perspective to his work, blending his passion for storytelling with his commitment to spreading meaningful messages. His role as an editor goes beyond the technical; he actively collaborates with the newsroom, guiding the flow of information and ensuring that each story is presented clearly and accurately.

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