Recent revelations suggest that members of parliament (MPs) have allegedly received bribes ranging from Shs 500,000 to Shs 2 million to advocate for the retention of specific government agencies that were slated for restructuring or merger back into their mother ministries.
According to sources interviewed by The Observer newspaper in Kampala, influential figures within both the government and parliament have been offering financial incentives to sway MPs in favor of retaining certain agencies facing the prospect of being phased out.
These agencies have been actively lobbying MPs to support their continued existence amid government proposals for reform.
Several MPs, speaking anonymously, disclosed that they had been approached with monetary offers to back the preservation of agencies such as NITA-U (National Information Technology Authority-Uganda).
One MP from Eastern Uganda revealed, “I was given US$500 [Shs 1.9m] to support the retention of NITA-U, and I know many of my colleagues were given the same. I really don’t know why they wanted that organization to stay, but you would see the energy invested in the project as if it was personal.”
Another MP representing a Buganda constituency confirmed receiving US$500 for the same purpose, reflecting the pervasive nature of these clandestine payments within parliament.
Reflecting on the situation, one MP highlighted the intense lobbying efforts by these agencies to secure parliamentary support. “Here in parliament, nothing comes without a cost.
It’s rare for MPs to endorse a position without financial incentive,” mentioned a female MP from Eastern Uganda. She described how agencies organize events where they explain their work to MPs, often concluding with substantial transport refunds or other forms of financial compensation.
Despite the government’s push for agency mergers to reduce duplication and streamline public administration costs, parliament has voted to preserve several entities, including the Coffee Development Authority, NAADS, Dairy Development Authority, Cotton Development Authority, and the National Forestry Authority.
Conversely, decisions were made to merge the Export Promotion Board and Uganda Zones Free Authority, along with integrating the Nation Youth Council, National Council for Elderly Persons and Persons with Disabilities, Elders Council, National Children’s Council, and National Women’s Council.
Notably, the motives behind MPs’ decisions on these agencies are being called into question, with suggestions that financial incentives may carry more weight than considerations of relevance or public interest.
Senior officials from affected agencies revealed that the outcome of these parliamentary votes is heavily influenced by the monetary contributions made by agencies rather than their functional merits.
 have allegedly received bribes ranging from Shs 500,000 to Shs 2 million to advocate for the retention of specific government agencies){kind=link}