Allegations of extravagant spending and financial improprieties have thrust the Speaker into the limelight, particularly regarding the reportedly opulent per-diems received by her staff.
Claims have emerged, suggesting that funds designated for parliament’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives have been mishandled, with money meant for the Speaker’s office passing through the personal accounts of junior staffers and others.
While scrutiny of government institutions is routine, some observers posit that the focus on the Speaker’s office has been disproportionately severe and may be part of a deliberate effort to single her out.
One of the primary concerns raised involves funds being funneled into the personal accounts of specific junior staff members on behalf of Speaker Anita Among’s CSR activities.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), a practice adopted by companies to enhance profits while contributing positively to society, is a key aspect often associated with corporate citizenship.
Despite an allocation of Shs 3.6 billion for CSR activities within the Speaker’s office, these funds are disbursed in cash due to the absence of specific recipients listed in the government’s electronic payment system, EFMIS. Beneficiaries typically include churches, mosques, schools, women’s groups, and other organizations.
According to sources, these cash disbursements, known as CSR initiatives, have also extended to benefit over 300 Members of Parliament, seeking financial assistance for personal or constituency-related matters.
The inability to use government financial systems like EFMIS is attributed to the diverse nature of the beneficiaries.
“This money is usually distributed in cash, akin to the manner in which President Museveni disburses cash in envelopes. Additionally, many beneficiaries, such as churches, women’s groups, and individuals, are not registered in IFMIS. Consequently, parliament staff withdraw the funds from the bank on behalf of the Speaker and distribute them in cash to various beneficiaries, with meticulous record-keeping,” emphasized an insider at Parliament.
It is noteworthy that the Speaker’s office is not the only entity with a substantial CSR budget; other government institutions also allocate significant funds for CSR activities.
Sources indicate that the Speaker’s office is not the sole recipient of substantial annual budgetary allocations earmarked for CSR initiatives. Several other public offices also boast significant budgets dedicated to CSR and community outreach programs.
For instance, State House is allocated a staggering Shs 59 billion annually for community outreach programs, a budget that often gets exhausted before the dispatch of supplementary funds by parliament. Other high-budget offices include allocations for the President (Shs. 77 billion), Vice President (Shs. 4.2 billion), Prime Minister (Shs. 3.7 billion), Deputy Prime Ministers (Shs 954 million each), Government Chief Whip (Shs 1.8 billion), Deputy Speaker (Shs 1.8 billion), National Council for Sports (Shs. 2 billion), among others. Importantly, these budget allocations are meticulously planned and approved by parliament.
