Former Legislators asking for a Service Award is a misplaced Priority.

As our country struggles to stay afloat in this stringent economy, which I can best describe as a living-walking emergency, former legislators, through their umbrella body the Association of Parliamentary Alumni of Uganda, surprised us with an inconsiderate demand: service award for their work done during their parliamentary tenure. Whereas their request is seemingly justifiable, that is, they did a “commendable” work, it is a misplaced priority in such a time and disregards the service made by other government civil servants.

Currently, our economy is limping, having connotations of high unemployment, low consumer confidence, declining business investment, rising national debt as well as a slow GDP growth. It is clear that the government’s resources are already overstretched, fighting to address these issues. Taxes are hiking up every now and then and new customs introduced. Some government parastatals and bodies are being merged and others dissolved. In such a situation, it will be misallocation of the meagre resources by prioritizing service awards for these former legislators over other pressing needs.

We should as well consider other retired government workers like teachers, healthcare officers and many others who do not receive such benefits. These people, like the legislators, are equally important. What makes the latter so entitled to this stage? Is it wearing neckties or receiving sumptuous salaries? These workers have as well contributed equally important to the country’s development, why should the legislators feel entitled to such a special treatment. This would be a mark of double standards.

During their tenures in parliament, MPs receive numerous benefits and generous compensation packages. One would wonder why a person that receives fuel allowances, medical benefits, exorbitant per diems and, though sounding ironical, someone whose death is already planned for with a 60 million shillings sum in case of death, crave for a 100 million shillings award after all these goodies and niceties. I think these benefits, together with the enviable salaries, are more than enough to provide a comfortable cushion for their post-legislative life. Why are they inconsiderate with the government that is trying to dress the wounds of the sick and sickening economy? Have they forgotten the principle of solidarity? Why are they slow to understand the economic hardships we are facing?

It is understandable that this award dubbed “akasiimo” was a presidential promise to them, and as such, they could be right in the line of the promise to demand for their due. However, granting service awards to former legislators at such a critical time could set an unusual precedence for other government workers, making similar demands. It is also a lesson to the promising party to take extra care when promising milk and honey in this desert. Why promise chicken when you cannot afford peas? Responding positive to their plea at such a critical time could be unfair to the citizens struggling to make both ends meet, and worse still, whose taxes are used to benefit the few. How will the government justify such expenditures when it is struggling to manage its finances and provide basic services to the citizens? There is need of prioritizing the needs of the many, other than those of the few. The cost of granting these awards should be looked into in depth, considering their impact on other public services.

Summing it up, the demand may not be entirely evil per se. However, its timing is misappropriated. This is sheer disregarding of the enormous sacrifices made by the citizens and the other civil servants. Let us embarrass Satan for once, prioritize the citizens’ needs, and show fiscal responsibility in such hard moments. Recovery of the economy is the ideal at this time. It will be laughable of us if we prioritize the few to the expense of the many.