Ugandan president approves funding for lawmakers to get sharpshooters, armored cars for security

The Ugandan president has approved more funds for security of lawmakers in the country. 

Lawmakers in the country will now have sharpshooters and armored vehicles.

This decision came after a lawmaker and his bodyguard were killed on June 8 Yoweri Museveni, Ugandan president, in a letter to the country's minister of finance, has explained why he approved increased spending for security to include sharpshooters and armored escort vehicles for lawmakers. 

The Reuters reports that the president's decision came after a ruling party lawmaker and his bodyguard were killed on June 8. 

The president, in a letter to the country's minister of finance, said the decision to boost security was taken after a meeting with members of parliament in which incidents of “criminality and terrorism” were discussed.

In his letter, he said: “Members of parliament have been singled out for intimidation and possibly attack. I have, therefore, decided to protect the members of parliament since they are being singled out." 

He said lawmakers would now be accompanied by military sharp-shooters and ordered the finance ministry to purchase armored pick-up trucks to use as escort vehicles. 

Critics in the country have accused the president of beinf wasteful and failing to address the security issues facing the ordinary citizens. 

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