Museveni: No Salary Raise for Parliament Staff, Bases of State Are Army, Teachers, Medics

President Museveni has called upon the members of the Parliamentary Commission to give priority to issues affecting the people.

Museveni was meeting with the Parliamentary Commission led by the Speaker of Parliament, the Rt. Hon. Anita Among and her Deputy Rt Hon Thomas Tayebwa at State House.

“This country does not belong to us (leaders) but to Ugandans. I am glad that this parliament has moved well,” Museveni said.

He said that when all the arms of government (Executive, Parliament, and Judiciary) work together, they yield good results for the country.

Museveni warned the members against misusing budgets.

He said committees should be funded but in small numbers.

Museveni also said the issue of increasing salaries for parliament staff should wait.

“Be careful with these budgets. The bases of the state are the armed forces, teachers and health workers. We should always look into their welfare first before others,” Museveni said.

“All others (teachers, army, medical workers) are getting low salaries, handle their welfare first,” he added.

He also cited the crisis of load-shedding in 2005 saying the electricity shortage was caused by the Parliament at the time, which blocked major projects of dam construction.

“When we came to government, Uganda was generating 60 megawatts and selling 30 to Kenya. I proposed to have more power dams, but parliament that time blocked it. This was a betrayal of that parliament,” he pointed out.

“When we won in 2006, I came back and met the cabinet. This time, I was ready for a showdown. I told them that I beg you, we must put more money in two areas of roads and electricity.”

He said the cabinet agreed and called the caucus which also agreed.

“That’s how you can see all these roads constructed and we got out of that problem caused by the misuse of parliament. Am very glad that this parliament has moved well. I want to congratulate you,” he said.