• Ssentayi says Shs300M cannot buy a durable vehicle to last MPs five years.
  • He argues frequent constituency and national travel accelerates vehicle depreciation.
  • The legislator suggests MPs need cars worth about Shs500M to execute duties effectively

Bukoto West Member of Parliament, Hon Ssentayi Muhamad Muyanja has stirred public debate after controversially stating that the Shs300 million car grant allocated to MPs in the 12th Parliament is insufficient to facilitate their work effectively.

Speaking during an interview with UBC, Ssentayi argued that the current allocation cannot secure a durable vehicle capable of serving a legislator throughout the five-year parliamentary term.

“When you look at the current market of cars, the Shs300 million cannot afford to purchase a car that can work for five years for a Member of Parliament,” Ssentayi said.

He explained that unlike land, vehicles are depreciating assets whose value and performance reduce with time and usage.

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“Realistically, a car depreciates. Even if it is brand new, it has its time of being written off. A car is not like land which keeps on appreciating,” he noted.

Ssentayi emphasized the demanding travel schedules MPs maintain, particularly those representing distant constituencies.

“When you look at the distance to my constituents, I normally travel there at least twice a week. So in a month I have to travel to my constituency four times, minimally,” he said.

Because of this constant movement, he argued that vehicles purchased under the grant wear out quickly.

“There is no way that I can use such a car for more than two or three years. Even what we are being offered is not enough to enable us do our oversight role for five years,” he added.

The legislator, who also served in the 11th Parliament where MPs received Shs200 million for vehicle purchases, said even that earlier allocation proved inadequate.

“The cars we bought almost five years ago are no longer able to serve the interests of our communities,” he said.

Ssentayi further argued that MPs’ duties extend beyond their constituencies to nationwide assignments.

“Our oversight role doesn’t stop where we represent. We are national leaders. Today I am in Kampala, tomorrow in Gulu, the next day in Kabale,” he explained.

He suggested that a more realistic budget for a reliable parliamentary vehicle would be significantly higher.

“A car that can fit the road conditions now can be procured at a minimum price of about Shs500 million, and that can only serve you for three to four years if well maintained,” Ssentaayi stated.

The MP also courted controversy after linking vehicle type to the dignity of the office.

“You don’t expect a Member of Parliament to be driven in a ‘Paso’ or ‘Platz’ or ‘Wish’. The responsibility comes with honour and calls for a car befitting of that stature,” he said.

Ssentayi concluded by urging government to reconsider the allocation, adding that the public should understand the operational demands legislators face.