As Uganda prepares for the leadership of the 12th Parliament, serious allegations have emerged regarding the conduct of the 11th Parliament. The former legislature, which was presided over by Ms. Annet Anita Among, is now being remembered for all the wrong reasons.
According to government officials and insiders, the 11th Parliament has left behind a legacy marked by financial mismanagement, bias, and a profound disrespect for the dignity of the House.
Dr. Florence Asiimwe, the woman Member of Parliament for Masindi District, who served in both the 11th and now the 12th Parliament, has come forward with damaging revelations. She told the public that the 11th Parliament had exhausted all the funds meant to run parliamentary commissions. She further claimed that the commissions often adjourned because there was no money to carry out their work.
Dr. Asiimwe, who once aspired to be Speaker of the 12th Parliament, did not hold back, stating that the 11th Parliament became a "nest of thieves" who misappropriated funds that should have been used for national development.
Dr. Asiimwe alleged that the leaders who were running Parliament were directly involved in diverting funds into their personal accounts. While some fellow MPs resented her for speaking out against Parliament, she insists that the truth has now prevailed.
She now argues that before anyone is elected Speaker, there should be a thorough background check on the candidate’s history, upbringing, and personal wealth. According to her, the image of Parliament has been severely damaged by the previous leadership.
Dr. Asiimwe and Lydia Wanyoto, the MP for Mbale City, were the first to declare interest in the Speaker’s seat. However, in a sudden twist, President Yoweri Museveni directed NRM Members of Parliament to elect Jacob Markson Oboth Oboth as Speaker.
This directive has united the party behind a single candidate, leaving others to fall in line. Meanwhile, Lydia Wanyoto finds herself in an awkward position. Just last Friday, she was seen celebrating with Jacob Oboth Oboth at his home in Mukono during his thanksgiving ceremony for being re-elected as MP.
She was among the MPs who wished him well in his quest to become Speaker.
These MPs are now calling on the NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) to amend the party’s constitution regarding the election of the Speaker. They propose that any MP who enters Parliament after buying their way through bribing voters should not be given the opportunity to become Speaker.
Both Dr. Asiimwe and Wanyoto insist they have not yet given up their ambition to contest for the Speaker’s seat. They are, however, waiting to see if any changes will be made. If nothing changes, the new Speaker is expected to be elected on the 25th of this month.
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