Uganda gives iPads to all MPs
Africa
By
BBC
| Dec 05, 2013
Kampala, Uganda: Uganda's parliament has given iPads to all MPs at a cost of $370,000 (£230,000), saying it will make them more efficient.
Parliamentary commissioner Emmanuel Dombo says it means MPs can access official documents while travelling.
He also said the funds had been generated by reducing the budget for paper, which would no longer be needed.
However, the BBC's Patience Atuhaire in Kampala says it has been criticised by many Ugandans as a waste of money.
"Taxpayers are already paying too much to take care of their MPs," opposition MP Semujju Ibrahim Nganda told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme.
READ MORE
Is government on 'fuliza' mode?
Expert: The shilling has regained value, but don't expect it to last
EAC Central Bank Governors meet in Juba as single currency race debate heats up
Ruto to push for global finance reforms at World Bank meeting
Unearthing the artifacts of WWII: A journey through Matuu and beyond
Roam, County Bus Service partner to deploy 200 electric buses
Budget cuts loom for Parliament thanks to Sh9.6b Bunge Towers
Private sector partnerships important to catalysing sports
Tax stand-off as boda boda riders defy county call to pay
Islamic banking gets traction in Africa as Salaam Bank feted
Mr Dombo described it as an "administrative decision".
Last year, MPs voted to increase their salaries by 38% - to more than $8,000 a month.
The 375 lawmakers have also been given more than $41,000 each to buy a car.
-BBC