Opposition Protests Government Funding For Kyankwanzi
The opposition in parliament has protested continued government funding of the National Leadership Institute – NALI in Kyankwanzi which according to them serves only NRM interests and is a no-go area for the opposition.
Legislators in opposition want Kaynkwanzi to be funded by National Resistance Movement-NRM which uses the facility as and when it needs.
While presenting the Presidential affairs committee report on the ministerial policy statements for the Office of the President, the committee recommended that UGX 2bn be to National Leadership Institute (NALI) to refurbish and maintain the facility.
However, the budget for Kyankwanzi attracted uproar from opposition members of parliament who claim that Kyankwanzi is only benefiting the ruling NRM which conducts its political activities there, thus it should be funded b the party instead of drawing its budget from the consolidated fund.
Okin Ojara the Chua West MP, who is a member of FDC, says they tried several times to access the services of the National Leadership Institute as a Forum for Democratic Change but their requests were never answered by the government.
However, the 3rd Deputy Prime Minister Rukia Nakadama informed parliament, that NALI is non-partisan its doors are open to every political party. She promised to organize a retreat for opposition leaders in Kyankwanzi soon on their wish.
Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa asked the opposition leaders to present evidence to the parliament of the requests they have been making to access Kyankwanzi and get bounced.
In the last financial year parliament appropriated Shs7.9Bn in the National Leadership Institute (NALI) Kyankwanzi to construct accommodation facilities and this time, Kyankwanzi is seeking 5bn for maintenance of the facility but the committee found 2bn adequate to maintain the facility and refurbishing the male wing.
