Kampala, Uganda | By Michael Wandati | Police and military has been heavily deployed around Parliament of Uganda in anticipation of today’s morning plenary session, which is slated to be chaired by the Speaker of Parliament, Annet Anita Among.
Adolf Mwesigye, the Clerk to Parliament, recalled Members of Parliament on Thursday 14, March 2024 about the resumption of plenary sittings on 15th March 2024.
The agenda includes discussions on various topics such as the alleged corruption scandals brought to light by Jim Spire’s shocking exposé #UgandaParliamentExhibition circulating on social media and the reassignment of members to new committees, among other matters.
The decision to summon the legislators back to the house coincides with mounting criticism directed at the parliamentary leadership, particularly Speaker Anita Among, regarding allegations of corruption.
Leaked documents circulating online have revealed significant expenditures by the speaker on corporate social responsibility initiatives, sparking public outrage.
A contentious issue under scrutiny in Parliament revolves around the significant sums of money received by junior parliamentary staff purportedly on behalf of Speaker Anita Among for corporate social responsibility (CSR) endeavors.
Chris Obore, the Director of Communications at Parliament, has acknowledged this practice, attributing it to the Speaker’s busy schedule, which leads her to delegate tasks to her subordinates.
Earlier this week, the shadow cabinet, led by Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Joel Ssenyonyi, called upon the Speaker of Parliament to address the accusations leveled against her. They also urged her to recall the house from recess to confront these pressing matters.
Also Read: Chris Obore justifies Speaker Among’s silence amid corruption allegations
Similarly, members of the NRM (rebel MPS), including Barnabas Tinkasimire and Theodore Ssekikubo, echoed the call for the Speaker to recall Parliament from recess. They emphasized the urgency of addressing these issues, as the public perceives MPs unfavorably amid allegations of misconduct.
“We can’t now walk with our heads high on the streets of Kampala, we smuggle ourselves and bold out. It isn’t now the best time to be identified as MPs. We are all bundled up, nobody is giving answers, should we all go by rollcall, not me, not me? We are all being castigated and we look bad in the eyes of the public,” said Theodore Ssekikuubo Lwemiyaga County.
