As if the heavy yoke of an increasingly burdensome Parliament weren’t enough, President Museveni’s government has once again devised a way to further bleed Ugandan taxpayers dry. The recent announcement that the number of Members of Parliament (MPs) will increase ahead of the 2026 general elections is a blatant move to further entrench his power while showing complete disregard for the financial strain it will place on the nation.
With 553 MPs already weighing down the public purse, this unnecessary expansion—triggered by the operationalization of new cities—is nothing short of a calculated attempt to swell the ranks of Museveni’s loyalists. These additional MPs will not only drain more public resources but also contribute to an even more bloated and inefficient Parliament, which has already become a symbol of the Museveni regime’s excesses.
Ugandans are rightfully enraged. The creation of new cities was never about improving administrative efficiency or local governance. It’s a thinly veiled strategy to divide and conquer—carving up Uganda into more constituencies that can be manipulated to ensure Museveni’s grip on power remains unchallenged. In a country where citizens are already suffering under the weight of high taxes and meager public services, this maneuver is nothing less than political gluttony.
The government’s reasoning behind this expansion—citing constitutional requirements and the need for representation in new cities—is an insult to the intelligence of Ugandans. This is not about democracy; it’s about perpetuating a regime that thrives on the exploitation of its people. Museveni’s administration has never shied away from bending the rules to suit its agenda, and this latest move is a stark reminder of how far the regime will go to maintain its dominance.
The taxpayers, who will foot the bill for the salaries, allowances, and lavish lifestyles of these new MPs, are left to wonder: what benefits, if any, will this bring to the average Ugandan? The answer is clear—none. This expansion serves no purpose other than to feed Museveni’s insatiable appetite for power, with Ugandans paying the price.
It is time for Ugandans to ask tough questions: How much longer will they allow Museveni to play this dangerous game with their future? How many more MPs must be added before the people say, “Enough is enough”? This latest maneuver is not just a political move; it is a direct assault on the financial well-being of every Ugandan citizen.
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