Drivers of MPs write to Speaker of Parliament complaining over non-payment

The Speaker of Parliament, Anita Annet Among, reveals that she received a petition in which Members of Parliament are being accused by their drivers of nonpayment of salaries. She didn’t reveal when she received the said petition and when she will take action.

“I have a petition on my desk where your drivers are complaining about you, you the Members of Parliament, you aren’t paying them, you aren’t paying your personal assistants and now you are trying to think Judiciary is the problem, Among said.

“All of you are a problem. And you will not expect a judge to pick money from his or her pocket, and pay the driver, those are civil servants,” she added during a plenary sitting to eulogize fallen Supreme Court Justice Stella Amoko.

Justice Amoko, who passed away last week, has been described by Parliament as a distinguished daughter of the great nation Uganda.

She is credited for attacking people who have been criticizing public servants for seeking treatment abroad. “And she breathed her last in Nakasero hospital. There are those who say that everybody goes to die from out,” Among said.

Among also said Justice Amoko was an exemplary judge who was very humane and could be easily approached by anybody, unlike other judges who keep themselves off from the public.

“She was an icon, a dedicated, professional and selfless public servant. We keep praying that may the good lord be there with the family, with the judiciary and the whole nation because she was such a pillar that can’t be easily replaced,” Among mourned.

The Prime Minister, Robinah Nabbanja, while leading the tribute revealed that Justice Amoko was the brain behind so many Universities teaching law and alternative dispute resolution. She thanked the deceased for being a mentor to many advocates at the bar.

The Chief Opposition Whip, John Baptist Nambeshe, said the deceased established herself as a notable authority in election petitions and her judgment laid a strong foundation in electoral jurisprudence in Uganda. He added that Uganda has lost a dedicated humble servant of the Judiciary.

The Bugweri County MP, Abdul Katuntu, said he has known Justice Amoko since 1995 when he had just left law school. “The lady lying in the box there is a lady of integrity. You can rise by doing a great thing, you don’t have to do wrong things to rise,” he said.

Parliament has contributed Shs20 Million as condolence fees to the family of deceased Justice Stella Amoko.