Speaker of Parliament Anita Among has lashed out at members of Parliament for not sticking with her amidst criticism.
The Speaker expressed her disappointment in MPs during the plenary of Tuesday, 2nd July. This was after Parliament was called from recess by the clerk to discuss the Appropriation Bill 2024. The bill had been rejected by President Museveni, who accused MPs of tampering with the allocation of Shs 750 billion without the executive’s knowledge.
The President’s decision slumped Parliament’s ratings in the public even lower, as the House has been fighting corruption allegations since the beginning of the year.
During the discussion, Fort Portal City Central MP Alex Ruhunda decried the allegations of corruption against Parliament. He argued that these were intended to weaken the institution and later have it declared useless and disbanded. This, he said, would be catastrophic for the nation given the vigilance of MPs in probing and fighting corruption.
“I want this House to be extremely careful because I have seen and even seen it before. This deliberate attempt by the Executive and top technocrats to spoil the image of Parliament. It is meant to render our efforts helpless. What they are trying to do is to weaken us, such that we don’t play our oversight role.” Alex Ruhunda said.
Ruhunda asked the MPs to pay attention to the media reports that are simply targeting Parliament. He said that these have been intensified because of their vigilance.
MP Ruhunda also expressed his concern about the President’s advisers, wondering who told him that Parliament is corrupt.
“How can the whole Head of State, the Fountain of Honour, be misled to write such letters that are giving the image of this country a negativity?” added Ruhunda.
Speaker Among disappointed in MPs
Speaker Anita Among welcomed Ruhunda’s submission, calling upon MPs to be each other’s keeper. She said Parliament would be safe if they all defended each other. Anita Among questioned MPs not to only speak out when they are attacked.
The Speaker also defended MPs battling corruption charges, saying theft doesn’t start in Parliament. She said theft of government officers starts with the accounting officers.
Five MPs are in Luzira Prison over corruption-related charges. These include Yusuf Mutembuli of Bunyole East and Paul Akamba of Busiki County. Others are Michael Mawanda of Igara East and Cissy Namujju, the Lwengo District Woman MP. Elgon County MP Ignatius Mudimi Wamakuyu is also facing similar charges.
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