Uganda: MPs, President's Office Clash Over New Offices

A decision by the President's Office to take 21 out of the 60 offices in the section of the main parliamentary building under construction has angered MPs. The Legal and Parliamentary Affairs committee members learnt of this decision on May 16, while inspecting construction works on parliament's sixth floor.

"Members, don't go that side because the offices there don't belong to parliament; they are for the President's Office," Ahmed Kagoye, the sergeant-at-arms, told bemused MPs.

This did not go down well with some MPs, with the chairman Steven Tashobya (Kajara, NRM) wondering why the President's Office wants to take over offices constructed on parliament's vote.

Calling for a review of the decision, Yona Musinguzi (Ntungamo municipality, NRM) said "spending Shs 11bn and getting only 39 offices is never heard of", and amounts to no value for money.

"How can Parliament construct offices for the President's Office, which has all the money it wants?" Musinguzi asked.

The MP noted that the same President's Office had refused to shift from the parliamentary building, even after their new twin-tower building nearby was completed. Kagoye explained that the reason behind it was that if MPs occupy offices on top of the President's Office, it would compromise his security.

In response, some MPs suggested that the President's Office finds alternative space for the legislators. An earlier attempt by the President's Office to claim parking lots in the newlybuilt multi-billion car park was rejected by Speaker Rebecca Kadaga. Another controversial issue was the cost incurred in constructing the extra floor on the east, north and south wings of parliament, which MPs say is too big.

"The cost against benefit is worrying because we are spending about Shs 11bn to have 39 offices, which comes to about Shs 300m per office," said Tashobya.

Together with Development House on Parliament avenue, when the extension is complete, MPs expect to created an extra 167 offices, excluding the 21 claimed by President's Office.

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Uganda: MPs, President's Office Clash Over New Offices