The High Court has upheld the Shs1.7Bn Service Award given to the four Commissioners of Parliament, on grounds that the money was lawfully approved by Parliament.
In a ruling delivered by Justice Douglas Karekona Singiza of High Court- Civil Division, Court on August 12, 2024, he also called for reforms to curtail issuance of service award, warning that if the practice goes unchecked, agencies would deplete national coffers through endless service awards, yet the staff benefitting from the awards are already highly paid by taxpayers.
Justice Singiza also asked the Secretary to Treasury, Ramathan Ggoobi to institute disciplinary action against Clerk to Parliament, Adolf Mwesige over the controversial payments.
“Newspaper articles and social media posts in this country are awash with reports of allegations of government agencies and politicians awarding themselves prizes in the form of money. This is common in government agencies and entities whose staff are already highly paid. If this practice continues unchecked, there is a likelihood that our nation’s coffers may be depleted,” part of the ruling read.
He also asked the Attorney General to urgently consider a Salary and Emoluments Review Board Bill, whose object would be to review and harmonize emoluments and allowances of government and political leaders
“It is in this regard that a proposal is made to the Hon. Attorney General (Kiwanuka Kiryowa) to urgently consider a Salary and Emoluments Review Board Bill, whose object would be to review and harmonize emoluments and allowances of government and political leaders. Such a board would reduce the temptation of leaders adopting rather ad hoc ways of enhancing their emoluments under the cover of prize money, these being matters which the board should in fact report directly to the President,” added Justice Karekona.
Commenting on the ruling, Former Leader of Opposition, Mathias Mpuuga said the MPs leading the censure of the Commissioners are clueless about Parliament rules and practices but also “a burden to taxpayers, because the Court Ruling, has vindicated his team’s argument that the Service Award was legally approved in Parliament.”
He also asked Ugandans to not just use their mouths, but also brains & ears, saying had they effectively used all the parts on their heads, they wouldn’t have orchestrated an 8month attack to taint his image & reputation over the service award.
