Some legislators are quietly complaining as they enter the second week without getting their salaries.
Both MPs and staff of the Parliamentary Commission, who receive their salaries on the 15th day of every month, are yet to get paid for this month.
Parliament broke off for recess on Thursday, in preparation for the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Conference next weekend, and the Easter holiday. But a number of MPs, who spoke to URN on condition of anonymity, say that since Thursday they have failed to get money to visit their constituencies.
Chris Baryomunsi, a parliamentary commissioner confirmed the delayed pay but added that the matter is beyond the capacity of the commission to solve. According to Baryomunsi, the Kinkiizi East MP, the ministry of finance delayed to release the money.
The legislator added that the parliamentary commission is in touch with the ministry of finance to address the matter.
A source at the ministry of finance told URN reporter on Tuesday evening that the ministry currently is short of funds to pay salaries for MPs and the parliamentary staff. The source went on to say that the available money is to be used for the IPU Conference activities.
Keith Muhakanizi, the deputy secretary to the treasury was also not committal, telling URN that they hope to get the money at the end of this week without giving a specific date.
Between December 2011 and February 2012, legislators in the 9th Parliament were each paid 103 million shillings in a much criticized MPs vehicle scheme, but many of them say they have already spent the money on loans, houses and cars.
