By Our Reporters
If you didn’t know that frustrations resulting from the way age limit case proceedings played in Mbale last month was already taking a huge toll on the NRM caucus and the cohesion of its members, just read this. In the fulfillment of her mandate, GCW Ruth Nankabirwa recently convened a session for the NRM caucus members where increasing the monthly caucus subscription per member from Shs20,000 to Shs50,000 was on the agenda. The proposal was being pushed by Nankabirwa and almost all NRM caucus executive members with exception of Mariam Naigaga who has manifested disgruntlement with Nankabirwa’s leadership style most of the time. They PRO-Nankabirwa members were supported by majority of the senior NRM MPs on grounds that Shs20,000 per MP was too little and there is no way more than Shs10m can be realized at that rate per month to meaningfully stand with MPs who get emergencies. The proposal on the table was that a vote is taken to the effect that, besides the Shs300,000 each MP monthly pays to party headquarters in Kyaddondo, the monthly contribution to run caucus administrative work be increased to Shs50,000 per month up from the current Shs20,000. Before even Nankabirwa could even introduce the subject properly, in the presence of Party Chairman YK Museveni who unexpectedly also attended the meeting, the MPs furiously rose up in arms and heckled her until she abandoned her presentation. As Museveni looked on, some of the MPs claimed, without any corroboration, that even the Shs20,000 they each pay per month hasn’t been satisfactorily accounted for by the GCW office. “How do you ask for Shs50,000 when even the Shs20,000 we currently pay hasn’t been properly accounted for?” the riotous MPs chorused to the consternation of the President. Sources say the President left the meeting shocked at the meanness of his caucus MPs and their unwillingness to sacrifice for the good of their party. “It was clear the MPs were hostile to the Chairman and Caucus leadership because they are nervous that Court is going to quash the extension of their term from 5 to 7 years and yet the President isn’t bothered because for him is sure he can win elections against any other candidate from within NRM and opposition. There is also fury as MPs claim that State House prefers new entrants to the legislature as opposed to consolidating incumbents to get a second term,” said a knowledgeable caucus source. State House stands accused of preferring first termers because they are perceived to be naïve, opportunistic and easy to excite. “They are also politically unsophisticated meaning that a mere photo opportunity with the chairman during the Kyankwanzi induction will keep such MPs excited for the rest of the term. They are considered respectful and materially less demanding meaning they can pass anything the President wants without State House or the treasury having to materially reciprocate them with anything.” It was further revealed that in case the Constitutional Court agrees with the petitioners and quashes the term extension, many MPs are fearful this is going to bring election fever even nearer as that will mean those eyeing their seats commencing serious campaigns ahead of NRM internal elections/primaries expected to commence late next year 2019. “The Speaker is going to be the one suffering most as lack of quorum is going to become a serious problem because most of the MPs will be concentrating in the constituency to fortify their turf to deny their opponents ground to penetrate their backyard. Many MPs have been shunning voters thinking they after all have seven years as opposed to five. The plan for many MPs was to return to appease the voters effective 2022. They believe Museveni and his State House consider them now disposable that the age limit is out of the way. This is why you are going to see many more rebellious acts in the caucus and this refusal to pay Shs50,000 per month as opposed to Shs20,000 is just the start.” It was further revealed that a group of dissatisfied MPs, claiming loyalty to the caucus treasurer Mariam Naigaga intend to raise many more accountability questions against GCW Ruth Nankabirwa whom they think is financially profiting from the office. Some MPs are envious of the posh house in which she moved sometime back in Lubowa. The well-fortified residence is complete with a swimming pool and it’s surrounded by a wealthy neighborhood. Yet in seeking to increase the monthly pay to Shs50,000 Nankabirwa was acting in good faith trying to manage the never-ending demands individual NRM MPs make to her office seeking material help each time they need to accomplish something including baptism parties for their children. Some of the MPs fallaciously think that when confronted with such demands, the GCW Nankabirwa is supposed to ring State House calling on the President to help. By proposing Shs50,000 per month as opposed to Shs20,000 members currently pay per month, Nankabirwa hoped to increase the Caucus’ financial viability and ability to solve poverty-stricken member’s problems without having to revert to the President all the time. Unfortunately her move, which the President had sanctioned, was thwarted and a group of MPs loyal to Naigaga, who is always disputing her accountability as GCW, left chest-thumping saying they had defeated, humiliated and subdued the long serving legislator from Kiboga in front of her chairman YK Museveni. They made it clear they won’t accept any moves by the GCW to encroach on their monthly salary. For comments, call/text/whatsapp us on 0703164755!
