The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, has addressed the controversy surrounding the government-purchased generator at his residence on Kigo Entebbe Road.
In June 2024, a public uproar erupted, particularly on social media, when the government bought two power backup generators for personal use at the residences of Speaker Anita Among and her deputy, Thomas Tayebwa, costing Shs592 million. This expenditure came at a time when Uganda struggled to meet many of the social service needs of its citizens.
Mr. Tayebwa explained that the generator was purchased to boost his security following an incident in December 2023 that left his family shaken.
“I had a security incident at home. An intruder entered my home, which had eight security personnel,” Mr. Tayebwa said during the launch of Group Vivendi Africa’s (GVA) Canal Box Internet services in Uganda, held at Kampala Serena Hotel on July 10.
He added that his family woke up to find some of their property missing. Upon reviewing CCTV footage, it was discovered that an intruder had climbed over the fence and accessed the house through a window.
In addition to the incident, Mr. Tayebwa’s solar panels could not power their security systems, necessitating a standby generator in case of an electricity outage.
Upon receiving the generator, Tayebwa said he initially wanted security to take it away but was informed that the state had a duty to protect him as Deputy Speaker of Parliament.
His statements came in response to the public outcry over Parliament’s decision to purchase expensive generators for both Tayebwa and Speaker Anita Among.
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