The Minister of Internal Affairs, Maj Gen (Rtd) Kahinda Otafiire, has asked government to reconsider reducing the number of members of Parliament (MPs) in a bid to earmark enough resources towards the country’s security.
Speaking during the 26th Police Council meeting at Police headquarters in Naguru, Gen. Otafiire argued that Uganda spends much money on parliament, leaving other sectors financially constrained.
“We have a parliament which is of the size of Britain, and yet Britain’s economy is 200 times bigger than that of Uganda,” Gen. Otafiire said.
The two-star General said the 529 legislators Uganda has, besides advancing selfish interests, have not been helpful to their constituents and the country at large.
“The other day I was telling someone that I don’t go to parliament because I used to talk for 15 minutes, but now I have to compete for 3 minutes given that Mps are so many,” Otafiire noted, adding: “What do you say in 3 minutes?”
The MPs, according to Gen. Otafiire, have technically failed to deliberate on issues of national importance destined to drive the country forward.
“When I asked what they say in 3 minutes, I was told they represent their people. If MPs are talking about issues of Ruhinda, West Budama, Ntungamo, and so on, now, who will talk about issues of Uganda?” he asked.
Otafiire attributed the overwhelming numbers of MPs to constituents’ urge for districts.
“We’re sometimes forced to do things which have no meaning because people demanded for districts,” Otafiire said.
He added: “People blackmail the president, saying if he doesn’t give them districts, they won’t vote for him.”
The constitutional minister said the unnecessary creation of districts, and subsequently, MPs, has cast a financial burden on the country to cater for such entities.
“We need enough police officers, since you wanted districts, and therefore, you must pay tax to get police officers,” said Otafiire.