The cars have been handed over to Edward Sekandi ,Al Hajji Moses Kigongo, Edward Rugumayo and Francis Butagira who received their cars in person and Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga who was absent.
The speaker of parliament Anita Among while handing over the cars noted that the cars are government property and parliament will be responsible for paying of salaries of drivers, cost o fuel and will be changed every five years.
It was an honour to host Rt. Hon. Retired Speakers of the Parliament of Uganda. The speaker has also urged former speakers to always be free to provide the leadership of parliament advise whenever they deem it necessary.
“I also want to inform you that as our elders we need your wise counsel from time to time in running the affairs of our Parliament and Country.
“I will soon communicate a formal framework through which the House will tap into your wisdom and experiences. We pledge to leave this Parliament a better place for the next generation of leaders.
“I also want to call upon you all to always give us the guidance we need as the generation of leaders after you. We strongly believe that our leaders should be recognized and celebrated in their lifetime.” Among requested her predecessors.
The former Speakers of Parliament who were offered cars include, Prof. Edward Rugumayo, Speaker of the National Consultative Council which was the Third Parliament of Uganda after Independence.
Rt. Hon. Amb. Francis Butagira, Speaker of the Fourth Parliament of Uganda.
Rt. Hon. Alhaji Moses Kigongo, Deputy Speaker of the National Resistance Council which was the Fifth Parliament of Uganda.
Rt. Hon. HE Edward Ssekandi, Speaker of the Seventh and Eighth Parliaments of Uganda and former Vice President of Uganda.
I thank the Almighty God for keeping all of them alive to witness this great day when they returned to the August House they presided over many years ago.
We would have loved to receive all our former Speakers without exception but some have passed on in retirement while others passed on in office.
Former speaker Francis Butagira thanked parliament for recognising past leaders.
Speaker additionally said.” This was unfair to other Speakers who had served the country prior to 2007. In my view, the generation of Speakers who served the country after the 1979 and the 1986, Liberation wars worked under the most difficult circumstances.
“In-spite of those circumstances, they succeeded in building a foundation for the thriving democracy which we all enjoy today. This explains why the Parliamentary Commission which I am honored to Chair took a bold decision to initiate an amendment to the Parliamentary Pensions Act 2022 to extend pension benefits to all our retired Speakers effective the year 1980.
“I want to thank the Hon Akol Anthony, Member of Parliament for Kilak North who through a private Members bill moved a motion for this amendment.” Speaker Among added.
“In a special way I want to thank H.E the President for assenting to the bill in a timely manner to ensure that his distinguished colleagues are taken care of. By this amendment, we were able to recognize the contribution of the following Speakers and Deputy Speakers of Parliament from 1980 – 2007:
“H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President and Chairman of NRC from 1986 -1996 Rt. Hon. Prof. Edward Rugumayo, Speaker/Chairman NCC from 1979 -1980 Rt. Hon Francis Butagira, Speaker of Parliament from 1980 – 1985 Rt. Hon. Alhaji Moses Kigongo, Vice Chairman of NRC from 1986 -1996 Rt. Hon. Edward Ssekandi, Deputy Speaker of the Sixth Parliament from 1998 – 2001 as well as Speaker of the 7th and 8th Parliaments
“The families of the Late Rt. Hon. Wapakhabulo, Rt. Hon. Francis Ayume, and Rt. Hon. Alexander Waibale who died before the enactment of the Parliamentary Pensions Act of 2007.” Speaker Among concluded.
The Parliament of Uganda in 2007, passed the Parliamentary Pensions Act which conferred some retirement benefits to retired Speakers effective from the date of assent of the Act in 2007.
The retired Speakers were entitled to Pension, Gratuity, chauffers’ driven car, medical care, security, and domestic staff. However, the Speakers and Deputy Speakers of Parliaments prior to 2007, were left out.
