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The Parliament of Uganda
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In Uganda, where legal disputes over broken marriages are common, the families of deceased Members of Parliament (MPs) are now finding themselves embroiled in similar conflicts over pension funds. The struggle for these funds has created a tug-of-war between Parliament and the families of late MPs, with marital disputes playing a significant role in delaying payouts.
A 2020 study by the Hague Institute for Innovation Law (HIIL) revealed that while 78% of estranged married couples in Uganda take legal action to resolve their differences, others suffer in silence. It also found that 7% of Ugandans had experienced divorce or separation in the previous four years.
Hon. Robert Ndugwa Migadde
Buvuma Islands MP, Robert Ndugwa Migadde, highlighted that even politicians are not immune to marital discord. During a tribute session for the late Moroto Municipality MP, Moses Aleper, Migadde, who chairs the Parliamentary SACCOs, pointed out that several families of deceased MPs have yet to claim their loved ones' benefits due to unresolved family disputes. "There are members whose benefits have been unclaimed for over seven years because of disputes over who should be the rightful beneficiary," Migadde said. He noted that some MPs had named multiple beneficiaries, leading to confusion and conflict among family members. Additionally, some MPs failed to update their next-of-kin information, further complicating the claims process.
The Parliamentary SACCOs, established in 2003, was designed to encourage savings among MPs and Parliament staff. However, a new trend has emerged where family disputes prevent the timely disbursement of benefits. Migadde revealed that the SACCOs is currently holding onto the benefits of five deceased MPs, amounting to between UGX 12 million and UGX 30 million each, due to ongoing family disputes.
The issue has also put the Parliamentary Pension Scheme (PPS) under scrutiny. Workers MP, Arinaitwe Rwakajara, who chairs the PPS board of trustees, explained that only nominated beneficiaries are entitled to the deceased MPs' pensions. The PPS faces challenges when MPs fail to nominate beneficiaries or when the nominated individuals are not yet born or known.
Ugandan MPs are required by law to save UGX 5 million per month for their pensions, deducted from their salaries and allowances. An MP serving one term is entitled to a pension of around UGX 300 million, which can accumulate to over UGX 1 billion for those who serve multiple terms. 
Kyaka Central MP, Tom Bright Amooti
The growing number of disputes over these funds has led to public clashes, with some families reportedly engaging in physical altercations at the PPS offices. Kyaka Central MP, Tom Bright Amooti, emphasized the importance of transparency in handling pension funds, warning that failure to do so could lead to family breakdowns. Amooti advised MPs to carefully allocate their pension benefits among their families to prevent future conflicts. "Give a percentage to your wife, children, and even siblings if necessary. This ensures your money is secured in case of unforeseen circumstances," he urged.
