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Karooro, Ssegirinya, Tumwine, Lubwama, are among decseased MPs with unclaimed benefits
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PARLIAMENT
The Chairperson of the Parliamentarians’ SACCO, Robert Migadde Ndugwa—also the MP for Buvuma Constituency—has appealed to lawmakers to ensure their next-of-kin information is correctly documented ahead of time. He said this would make it easier for Parliament to hand over benefits to the rightful family members in the unfortunate event of a legislator’s death.
Migadde revealed in his end-of-year report that funds belonging to 32 deceased Members of Parliament remain unclaimed due to family disputes that have made it difficult to identify the legally recognized beneficiaries.
He pointed to the case of former Kawempe North MP Muhammad Ssegirinya, whose entitlements—totaling nearly Shs 400 million—cannot be released as relatives are still embroiled in disagreements over who should receive the money. The late Ssegirinya is owed Shs 250 million in gratuity and Shs 158 million in condolence funds, all of which remain stuck pending the resolution of family conflicts.
Ssegirinya Muhammad
Migadde also noted that due to mistrust or strained family relations, some MPs list their drivers or personal assistants as their next of kin. When the MP dies, it becomes highly complicated for Parliament to release money to these individuals, especially in cases where they no longer have connections with the deceased.
Among the deceased MPs whose benefits remain locked up in Parliament are Kato Lubwama (Lubaga South), Mathias Nsubuga Birekeraawo (Bukoto South), Issa Kikungwe (Kyaddondo South), Susan Namaganda (Bukomansimbi Woman), Freda Nanziri Kase Mubanda (Masaka Woman), Henry Mutebi Kityo (Mawokota South), James Makumbi (UPDF), Yusuf Nsubuga Nsambu (Makindye West), Dr. Herbert Wilson Lwanga (Bukoto), and Gen. Elly Tumwine (UPDF).
Kato Lubwama
Others include Charles Willy Ekemu (Soroti Municipality), Ben Etonu (Amuria), Jessica Eriyo (Adjumani Woman), Margaret Komuhangi (Nakasongola Woman), Jowali Kaggwa Kyeyago (Bunya South), Charles Okello Engolla (Oyam North), Victoria Kakoko Ssebagereka (Kayunga Woman), Beatrice Magoola Zirabamuzaale (Iganga Woman), and Mary Karooro Okurut (Bushenyi Woman).
Mary Karooro Okurut
Additional deceased legislators with unclaimed benefits are Aleper Simon Peter, Charles Angiro Gutumoi, Margaret Angufiru, John Yeko Arapkissa, Gordon Arinda Kakuuma, Margaret Baba Diri, Ignatius Besisira, Richard Baker Dudu, John Bosco Dralega, and Seezi Prisca Mbaguta.
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