NUP orders all opposition MPs not to attend East African inter – Parliamentary Games

The leading Opposition Political Party, the National Unity Platform has ordered all Opposition Members of Parliament not to Participate in the East African Inter-Parliamentary games scheduled to commence in December this year 2024, citing wastage of resources.

Kenya is hosting this year’s 14th Edition of the Inter-Parliamentary Games with the participation of 700 to 800 Members of Parliament (MPs) and parliamentary staff, from EAC countries.

The event aims to enhance collaboration, foster networking, and bond between the National Legislatures and EALA. As well, these games serve as a platform to raise awareness among citizens of the EAC about the integration process through engaging in sporting activities.

On 4th September 2024, Members of Parliament from all Political divide and staff of Parliament started trainings in different sporting disciplines namely; football, netball, volleyball, tug of war, basketball, golf, athletics, and darts in preparation for the games.

However, information coming from Kavule, which seats NUP that leads the Opposition in parliament indicates that, an order has been given out by the Party President Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu aka Bobiwine to the Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi to tell MPs from the Opposition not to participate in these games, citing wastage of funds.

A source from Kavule informed this website that Parliament is set to spend around 8 billion to facilitate members of Parliament and staffs of Parliament who will participate in this 2 weeks’ event in Mombasa, Kenya.

According to sources who preferred anonymity, the decision was made in addition to the earlier decision, the LoP made, that saw the Opposition boycott Parliamentary regional sitting in Gulu last month.

“The opposition must be consistent with decisions it undertakes, if we boycotted Gulu regional sitting over wastage of tax payers’ money, we should also boycott Inter-Parliamentary games because it’s also a wastage of tax payers’ money yet that money can be diverted to other urgent issues, such as medical interns, help Kiteezi landfill victims who are currently stranded” a source told this website.

On 7th August 2024, Ssenyonyi announced to the press, that the Opposition shadow cabinet had voted that the Opposition boycotts the Gulu regional sitting over wastage of tax payers’ money.

Sources with Parliament informed this website that over 100 sportsmen and women including Members of parliament and staff will participate in these games scheduled to commence in December this year.

According to sources within Parliament, Ordinary members of Parliament get a per diem of $720 per night, translating into Ugx 2,736,000 per night at a rate of Ugx Shs3,800.

For the 2 weeks MPS will spend at the games, each participant will be entitled to a per diem of Sh38,300,000.

The current LoP is one of those who have been training in the discipline of volley and given the order for the Opposition not to attend these games, he’s one of those affected.

According to Parliament’s Per diem ratings, the Leader of the Opposition earns a Per diem of $890 per night, translating into Ugx 3,306,500 per night at a rate of Ugx 3,800.

In case, the Leader of the Opposition attends the games, he would pocket Ugx 46,291,000 for the 2 weeks he would spend at the games.