Their appointments followed the passing of Jacob Oulanyah, the former speaker of the parliament, who died in Seattle, USA. Tayebwa succeeded Among, who had previously been elected as deputy speaker.
As their tenure approaches the two-year mark, they have overseen various legislative achievements, including the enactment of numerous resolutions and laws.
However, their leadership has also been marred by significant challenges, including allegations of nepotism, corruption, mismanagement of resources, and internal conflicts within the house. Under their stewardship, parliament has successfully passed 39 bills and has an additional 58 bills awaiting passage.
Of the 39 bills passed, 34 have received presidential assent, while 20 bills have been withdrawn from consideration. Throughout their tenure, the 11th Parliament has made significant legislative strides, with notable bills such as the Computer Misuse (Amendment) Bill, 2022; the Labour Unions (Amendment) Bill; the Kampala Capital City Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2021; the Public Health (Amendment) Bill, 2022; the Excise Duty (Amendment) Bill, 2022; the Uganda Human Organ Donation and Transplant Bill, 2022; and the Uganda National Kiswahili Council Bill taking center stage. Additionally, key legislative efforts include the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Bill (EEC); the Veterinary Practitioners Bill; the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2022; and the controversial anti-homosexuality law.
Over the course of its sessions, the 11th Parliament has convened more than 123 sessions and passed 50 resolutions. Noteworthy among these resolutions are the decision to acquire 150,000 shares in Roko Construction Company and the authorization to borrow Shs 1.7 trillion from Standard Chartered bank.
FIST FIGHT WITH MPS
Despite notable legislative achievements, the 11th Parliament has faced challenges stemming from the speaker’s public conflicts with various lawmakers. Among those embroiled in disputes with the speaker are Mityana Municipality MP Francis Zaake, Minister of State for Lands, Princess Persis Namuganza, and Nakawa West constituency MP Joel Besekezi Ssenyonyi.
These public disagreements have marred the legislative proceedings and contributed to a sense of discord within the parliamentary environment.
FRANCIS ZAAKE
During a plenary session aimed at commending MPs who participated in the East African Legislative Assembly Games held in Arusha, Tanzania, in 2021, Speaker Anita Among lauded Francis Zaake for his outstanding performance, which earned parliament a gold medal.
This commendation came despite reports of Zaake’s alleged torture and a resulting broken leg. Zaake, however, expressed discontent with the speaker’s remarks, taking to social media to voice his dismay. Subsequently, during a parliamentary session in February 2022 chaired by Speaker Among, Gulu City West MP Ojara Martin Mapenduzi proposed a censure motion against Zaake in his capacity as a parliamentary commissioner.
The matter was subsequently referred to the Committee on Rules, Privileges and Discipline. Following the adoption of the report presented by Abdu Katuntu, Zaake was ousted from the parliamentary commission, with 155 out of 161 participating MPs voting in favor of his removal. Zaake contested his removal through legal channels, led by his lawyers including Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, arguing that parliament lacked the necessary quorum for the voting process.
In a significant development in September 2023, the court overturned parliament’s decision to suspend Francis Zaake from his position as commissioner. The court ruled that Speaker Among had violated the principles of natural justice, and furthermore, that parliament lacked the requisite quorum at the time of the decision.
PERSIS NAMUGANZA
In December 2022, Agago North MP John Amos Okot initiated a censure motion against Persis Namuganza following her refusal to apologize to Speaker Anita Among and other members of parliament (MPs). The motion was prompted by allegations that Namuganza had fabricated a presidential directive, resulting in the Uganda Land Commission allocating portions of the Naguru-Nakawa estate land to certain investors.
The ad hoc committee formed to investigate the matter recommended Namuganza’s temporary removal from office based on these findings. Despite the committee’s recommendations, Namuganza vehemently contested the authority of parliament to censure her, asserting that the motion was orchestrated by Speaker Among and framing it as a personal vendetta.
She declined a proposed cabinet-mediated dialogue with the speaker, further escalating tensions. The conflict eventually evolved into a personal feud between the Namuganza and Among families. Chaired by Deputy Speaker Tayebwa, parliament subsequently passed a motion of censure against Namuganza, with 348 MPs voting in favour, five against, and three abstaining.
As per Article 118(2) of the Constitution, when a minister is censured by parliament, the president is required to take appropriate action, unless the minister resigns from office voluntarily.
JOEL SSENYONYI
In December 2022, a conflict emerged between Speaker Anita Among and Nakawa West MP Joel Ssenyonyi, highlighting tensions within the parliamentary system. Among accused Ssenyonyi and his committee of failing to produce timely reports, criticizing what she perceived as a lack of productivity.
Specifically, she pointed out that out of 107 auditor general reports, the committee had only considered four entities, expressing concern over the perceived inefficiency. Additionally, Among admonished the Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities, and State Enterprises (Cosase) for alleged leaks of sensitive parliamentary reports, including one related to the Uganda Airlines probe.
In response, Ssenyonyi retaliated through social media platforms, alleging that Among had deliberately withheld the Uganda Airlines report to protect individuals implicated in mal feasance. He criticized Among’s leadership and accused her of setting a precedent that favoured special interests over transparency and accountability.
Ssenyonyi defended his committee’s record, highlighting their productivity in producing five reports within a single year, including investigations into entities such as the Civil Aviation Authority, Uganda Railways Corporation, and the Land Commission.
He contrasted this with Cosase’s inquiry into only nine Auditor General reports over five years, during which Among served as vice chairperson for three years. Ssenyonyi asserted that the stark difference in productivity between the two committees spoke volumes about their respective work ethics.
CORRUPTION, BRIBERY, AND MISMANAGEMENT OF FUNDS
Recent reports indicate that corruption, bribery, and financial mismanagement have become pervasive issues within parliament, casting a shadow over its integrity and functionality. Allegations suggest that these malpractices are orchestrated by top leadership, transforming parliament into a lucrative enterprise for legislators irrespective of their political affiliations.
The troubling trend underscores broader concerns about ethical conduct, accountability, and transparency within the legislative body, prompting calls for urgent reforms to restore public trust and uphold democratic principles.
SHS 40 MILLION BRIBE
In the initial three months of their term, parliament allocated each member of parliament (MP) a sum of Shs 40 million in recognition of their role in passing a supplementary budget. According to media reports, independent and opposition MPs purportedly received their allocations at the residence of the speakers, while MPs affiliated with the National Resistance Movement (NRM) obtained their funds within parliament premises.
Notably, Bukoto South MP Dr Twaha Kagabo, among the recipients of the allocation, faced threats after expressing intent to return the funds. Despite efforts to return the money via the office of the former Leader of Opposition, Mathias Mpuuga, Kagabo encountered obstacles.
Mpuuga redirected Kagabo to return the funds at the initial collection point, rendering the attempt futile. In response to the National Unity Platform’s directive for recipients to refund the funds, Kagabo is reportedly considering joining the National Resistance Movement (NRM), indicating a potential shift in political allegiance.
SHS 1.7 BILLION FOR THE LOP, COMMISSIONERS
The Parliamentary Commission’s leaked resolutions from May 2022 have implicated the former Leader of the Opposition (LoP), Mathias Mpuuga, in an alleged Shs 1.7 billion corruption scandal. According to the leaked document, Mpuuga was awarded a one-off service payment of Shs 500 million, while three commissioners from the National Resistance Movement each received Shs 400 million.
Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine and the president of the National Unity Platform (NUP), disclosed that Mpuuga was embroiled in this controversy. He claimed that Mpuuga, along with Speaker Anita and other commissioners, had facilitated these payments.
Bobi Wine reported this during a councilor meeting at the party headquarters, stating, “After discovering what I believed to be credible evidence, I convened a meeting with NUP’s top brass, including the secretary-general and other senior leaders.”
During this meeting, Mpuuga reportedly confessed to his involvement in the alleged misconduct. According to Bobi Wine, Mpuuga acknowledged the wrongful receipt of Shs 500 million, which was intended for the current holder of the position rather than predecessors or successors.
Consequently, the NUP leadership concluded that Mpuuga should issue an apology, resign as a commissioner in parliament, return the money, and undergo a rehabilitation process. However, Mathias Mpuuga has resisted calls to resign, asserting that the decision was lawful. He further stated that although the money had not yet been transferred to his account, he anticipated its arrival.
SHOCKING SHS 100 MILLION BRIBES
The Observer has obtained credible information indicating that members of parliament were promised a bribe amounting to Shs 100 million. An MP, serving as a source, disclosed that their fellow legislators had received half of this sum prior to the Christmas holiday. The remaining balance was reportedly settled last week. However, specific details regarding this alleged bribery have not been revealed by the source.
IGG STEPS IN
Beti Kamya, the inspector general of government announced last week that the Inspectorate of Government would initiate investigations into the alleged corruption scandals and mismanagement of resources and offices within parliament. Kamya emphasized the significant public interest surrounding the issues in parliament, indicating the necessity for thorough scrutiny.
She highlighted the receipt of multiple whistleblower accounts and petitions from ordinary citizens urging the inspectorate to intervene. In an interview conducted for this report, Munira Ali, the manager of Strategic Partnerships and Public Relations at the Inspectorate of Government, confirmed that the inspector general had launched investigations into the alleged corruption and mismanagement within parliament.
While Ali refrained from providing specific details regarding the scope or initial targets of the investigations, she affirmed that the process had commenced. Under the parliament exhibition, a hashtag promoted by social media activists, the country has witnessed grave allegations of corruption, bribery, and mismanagement of resources within parliament.
Lead activists such as Dr Spire Ssentengo and former journalist Agatha Atuhaire, under the hashtag, revealed documents showing the exorbitant sums of money allegedly pocketed by the speaker, Anita Among, in the name of per diem, corporate social responsibility, and other activities.
The funds were deposited into various accounts of parliamentary staff. The exhibition revealed that some MPs claimed per diem for the same activity from both parliament and the National Council of Sports.
Further revelations showed that the speaker received over Shs 2.4 billion in a span of 39 days. Funds received by Daniel Adilo and Emmanuel Okwi Emuron were reportedly intended for field mobilization activities, outreach activities, community consultation activities, and others.
GOVERNMENT SPEAKS OUT
Dr Chris Baryomunsi, the minister of ICT and National Guidance, expressed commendation for the activists responsible for organizing the online parliament exhibition, which shed light on the pervasive corruption within parliament.
He acknowledged the importance of such initiatives in uncovering systemic issues of corruption and malpractice within government institutions. Baryomunsi emphasised that the ongoing exhibition and protests reflect a genuine commitment to promoting accountability and transparency, rather than serving political interests.
Furthermore, the minister reassured the public that relevant oversight institutions, such as the Office of the Auditor General and the Inspectorate of government, would intervene to investigate the allegations raised by the exhibition. This statement underscores the government’s commitment to addressing corruption and restoring public trust in governance processes.
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