The allegations were made by Leader of Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi, who took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to accuse both NRM MPs and a select group of opposition MPs of receiving monetary rewards for supporting the bill.
In his post, Ssenyonyi claimed that there was a secretive exchange of money within Parliament, suggesting that each NRM MP and a few handpicked opposition MPs were being given Shs 100 million as an appreciation for their role in passing the coffee bill.
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He further alleged that the money was also linked to the upcoming amendment to the UPDF Act, which seeks to allow civilians to be tried in the Court Martial, despite the Supreme Court ruling against such a measure.
“We’ve learnt that there is money which is surreptitiously exchanging hands in Parliament. Information reaching us is that they are giving each NRM MP (and a few selected opposition MPs) 100m shs each, as appreciation for the coffee bill that was passed, and also in readiness for the proposed amendment to the UPDF Act which will seek to cement the trial of civilians in the Court Martial in spite of the Supreme Court ruling. Our Country needs a reboot,” Ssenyonyi wrote.
In response, Parliament dismissed these claims, stating that no such payments had been processed. The statement from Parliament clarified that the Clerk of Parliament had not authorized or processed any payments to MPs in relation to the coffee bill.
“There are claims on social media regarding alleged payments of Shs 100 million to MPs. The public is advised that Parliament makes statutory payments to MPs processed by the Clerk to Parliament and reflected on their individual payslips. The Clerk has not processed any such payments.”
