Anita Among, the Speaker of the 11th Parliament
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I Parliament is seeking an additional Shs 263.937 billion in the 2026/27 National Budget Framework Paper to fund vehicles for Members of Parliament, rent extra office space, and pay medical insurance for lawmakers and their families.
The request was presented by Remigio Achia, the Vice Chairperson of Parliament’s Budget Committee, while presenting the committee’s report to the House.
According to Achia, Shs 166.8 billion of the requested money is meant to buy vehicles for 529 MPs of the 12th Parliament. He said the vehicles are necessary to enable MPs carry out their work effectively.
“Members of Parliament are required to travel extensively across constituencies and the country to engage constituents, monitor government programs and participate in Parliamentary related activities,” Achia told Parliament.
He argued that providing MPs with standardized vehicles would improve their movement and reduce inefficiencies.
“Provision of reliable and standardized vehicles will enhance their mobility, improve service delivery and reduce operational inefficiencies,” Achia said, adding that the extra funding was necessary to facilitate the purchase of the vehicles.
Parliament also approved a request to increase funding for medical insurance premiums for MPs, including coverage for their children, spouses and parents.
Achia explained that the cost of the medical insurance scheme has risen sharply due to inflation, increasing healthcare costs, and what he described as higher use of specialized and overseas medical services by MPs.
“These increases have outpaced the originally approved budget allocations, creating a funding gap that risks undermining the adequacy and sustainability of health care coverage for MPs and their dependents,” he said.
As a result, Parliament is seeking an additional UGX5.636 billion to cater for the increased medical insurance premiums.
The request comes at a time when many Ugandans are struggling with poverty, unemployment and the high cost of living, and when public concern continues to grow over the ever-increasing number of MPs, their high salaries, and the many allowances and benefits attached to the job.
Critics have long argued that Parliament has become too expensive to run, raising questions about priorities as lawmakers continue to approve more spending on themselves while basic services remain underfunded
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