Yesterday, the MPs through the contracts committee approved and awarded awarded telecom giant MTN Uganda a contract worth over UGX 197 million to provide monthly 5GB data for the 458 MPs worth UGX 30,000 per MP. The company also contracted to provide monthly Over The Top (OTT) Tax also known as Social Media Tax worth UGX 6,000 for each member of Parliament.
Today, the Speaker has made some comments on this matter shortly after a meeting with members of the Uganda Parliamentary Press Association, an umbrella body for journalists who cover Parliament.
According to the Daily Monitor, Ms Kadaga said the decision by the Contracts Committee to award a deal to MTN Uganda to supply free internet and OTT services to MPs will have to be scrutinized afresh, on grounds that MPs should be in position to pay for the services as part of their legislative duties.
She also pointed out that the controversial decision was made by the Contracts Committee of Parliament and not the Parliamentary Commission. However, it’s not clear whether the Parliamentary Commission was consulted or not.
“I am glad you are saying it is Contracts Committee. I haven’t seen the agreement but I don’t believe that the public should pay OTT for MPs. I don’t support it,” Ms Kadaga said.
She added: “I don’t agree with that decision and I am going to investigate who took that decision and if there is a contract, we will have to scrutinise it because I don’t believe tax payers should pay MPs’ taxes, that is our duty because we are carrying out our duties.”
