Parliament requests Shs125b for per diem and salaries
Parliament has approved a budget increase of Shs 125 billion to cover salaries, travel expenses, per diem, and operational costs for the offices of the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Leader of the Opposition, and Government Chief Whip. This allocation will elevate the institution’s budget to the trillion mark.
Lawmakers approved the report of the legal and parliamentary affairs committee, which examines the parliamentary commission’s budget and includes the proposal, on April 12 during the plenary session.
During the same meeting, the ministry of finance’s request for the legislators, who oversee appropriations, to reduce their budget for the current financial year by Shs 78 billion from Shs 945.5 billion was turned down. The institution’s budget would then total Shs 866.8 billion as a result.
The report claims that additional funding is needed in order for Speaker Anita Among, her deputy Thomas Tayebwa, Government Chief Whip Hamson Obua, Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi, and the parliamentary commission secretariat to attend both domestic and foreign engagements.
The report states that the shortfall arose from increasing invitations locally and internationally requiring official engagements and participation of these offices. The committe reccommends that additional shs 37.685 billion be provided to cater for the operational shortfall
Out of the additional funds, Shs 3.7747 billion will be allocated towards staff allowances, NSSF, and pension contributions. Another Shs 1.6 billion will be designated for the annual contribution to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA). Additionally, Shs 82.272 billion will be allocated for legislative, oversight, and representation functions.
