In the bid to expose those who just show up for money, members of Parliament yesterday proposed to stop public financing of presidential candidates.

During the consideration of the Presidential Elections Bill (amendment) 2015, members on the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee, said the Presidency is "not for jokers" and that anyone who wishes to contest for it should be able to finance their campaigns.

The Bill under discussion proposes that presidential candidates be given a consolidated Shs50m as opposed to the old practice that allows for all presidential candidates to receive Shs20m, a vehicle and security.

However, instead of consolidating all that into Shs50m as the Bill proposes, MPs want this practice to end. "If we maintain the status quo, then we will keep attracting those who come because they are expecting help," said Mr Richard Todwong (NRM, Nwoya County) .

However, some voices from the committee had earlier pushed for more funding, saying a presidential candidate ought to be comfortable during campaigns.

"Shs50m is little if the candidates will not be given vehicles. I rather we remain with the status quo," said Mr Alex Byarugaba (NRM, Isingiro).

Mr Abdu Katuntu, the shadow attorney general, added: "We want these candidates to traverse the country in dignity. We appropriated money for EC to buy them cars."

The voices in support of funding were, however, drowned out by the many that were against.

Earlier in the day, the committee hit a deadlock when several members contested the timing and content of the Bill, saying they can't do the work in one day as they had been ordered to do.

Some members reasoned that the Bill does not provide anything constructive and effective to the forthcoming elections. Others said the one-day period ordered by the Executive and the Speaker's office is not enough to allow for wide consultations and research.

Committee chairperson Steven Tashobya also criticised the late submission of the Bill, saying most stakeholders will not be consulted.

However, while communicating the committee's decision to proceed with the work, Mr Tashobya said: "It is important that we get the views of the other stakeholders before the committee decides on concerns raised."

This means stakeholders will present their views and the committee will decide whether or not to proceed with the process. The decision will be communicated to the House this Friday.