Among Proposes State Funding for Ex-MPs’ Medical Treatment, Funerals
Kampala, Uganda – Speaker Anita Among has urged Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja to allocate funds in the Parliament’s budget to cover medical treatment abroad and burial expenses for former Members of Parliament (MPs).
Among made the request during a recent plenary sitting, where she responded to a plea from Phyllis Chemutai, the District Woman Representative for Kapchorwa, to help repatriate the remains of Samuel Kiprotich.
Kiprotich, a student pursuing a PhD in Food Science and Technology at Minnesota University in the US, died mysteriously three weeks ago, and his remains are currently stuck in the US.
The Speaker emphasized the need for a more permanent solution, stating that the current arrangement has become a significant burden.
She suggested lobbying for funds to cover medical treatment abroad and burial expenses for former MPs in the next budget.
“We may need to lobby for funds for former Members of Parliament for medical (treatment) abroad. And then for burials of former MPs. You really need to take it up so that we have it in the next budget. It has become a very big burden.” Speaker Among noted.
Among’s request was prompted by a pledge from Prime Minister Nabbanja to engage with President Museveni to arrange for the repatriation of Kiprotich’s body.
The Premier’s intervention aims to address the immediate issue, while Among’s proposal seeks to provide a long-term solution for similar situations involving former MPs.
The speaker’s appeal comes as Parliament faces increasing financial burdens due to many expenses.
