Archival Sense
JF-Expert Member
- Dec 16, 2025
- 430
- 235
Remarks made by Member of Parliament Esther Afoyochan regarding the controversial Shs400 million service award have sparked intense debate on social media, reigniting public anger over the payments made to parliamentary commissioners.
In a video shared on her TikTok page, Afoyochan appeared to dismiss criticism from members of the public who questioned the hefty payout, arguing that many of her critics “waste time enjoying life” while leaders like her work hard and struggle to make ends meet.
“Do you think you can sustain the 400M if you are not intelligent? If I gave you 400M, would you be able to sustain it?” the legislator said in the video. “You people are jokers, go and work!” she added.
The remarks quickly triggered backlash online, with many Ugandans accusing the MP of being dismissive and insensitive to the economic struggles faced by ordinary citizens.
The controversy stems from reports that four parliamentary commissioners allegedly received a second service award of Shs400 million each, a revelation that sparked widespread criticism and renewed scrutiny over accountability in Parliament.
According to Joel Ssenyonyi, the Leader of Opposition in Parliament, the payments were allegedly channelled through the parliamentary SACCO in an attempt to avoid creating a direct paper trail.
The claims have fueled public debate about transparency, public expenditure, and the widening disconnect between political leaders and citizens facing economic hardship.
Critics argue that the issue is no longer just about the legality of the payments, but also about leadership ethics and public perception, especially at a time when many Ugandans continue to struggle with unemployment, high living costs, struggling education and health system and limited social support.
As the online debate intensifies, pressure is mounting on Parliament to provide clarity on the circumstances surrounding the payments and whether proper procedures were followed.
In a video shared on her TikTok page, Afoyochan appeared to dismiss criticism from members of the public who questioned the hefty payout, arguing that many of her critics “waste time enjoying life” while leaders like her work hard and struggle to make ends meet.
“Do you think you can sustain the 400M if you are not intelligent? If I gave you 400M, would you be able to sustain it?” the legislator said in the video. “You people are jokers, go and work!” she added.
The remarks quickly triggered backlash online, with many Ugandans accusing the MP of being dismissive and insensitive to the economic struggles faced by ordinary citizens.
The controversy stems from reports that four parliamentary commissioners allegedly received a second service award of Shs400 million each, a revelation that sparked widespread criticism and renewed scrutiny over accountability in Parliament.
According to Joel Ssenyonyi, the Leader of Opposition in Parliament, the payments were allegedly channelled through the parliamentary SACCO in an attempt to avoid creating a direct paper trail.
The claims have fueled public debate about transparency, public expenditure, and the widening disconnect between political leaders and citizens facing economic hardship.
Critics argue that the issue is no longer just about the legality of the payments, but also about leadership ethics and public perception, especially at a time when many Ugandans continue to struggle with unemployment, high living costs, struggling education and health system and limited social support.
As the online debate intensifies, pressure is mounting on Parliament to provide clarity on the circumstances surrounding the payments and whether proper procedures were followed.
