Uganda, May 1 -- Parliament on Tuesday approved a Shs1.1trillion supplementary budget including a contentious Shs578billion bailout to Dei Bio Pharma Ltd, a private drug and vaccine manufacturing plant owned by businessman Mathias Magoola.

Although the money to Dei Bio Pharma Ltd was okayed by Parliament's budget committee, the House was divided on the matter following a minority report presented by Kiira Municipality legislator Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, who is also the shadow minister for finance.

In the minority report which was also signed by lawmakers Mathias Mpuuga (Nyendo-Mukungwe MP) and Yusuf Nsibambi (Mawokota South), the trio recommended that it is wrong for government to continue funding a private entity, without through accou...