FDC strongwoman Ingrid Turinawe must have been relieved when her party nominated her as one of its two candidates for the East African Legislative Assembly (Eala).

But Some MPs have already started on a scheme ‘fail Ingrid’s political ambitions.’

Among them is Kabula county’s James Kakooza.

While you may have forgotten about the pigs that were dumped at Parliament in protest against ‘too many’ MPs flying to the UNAA convention last year, Kakooza has not.

The NRM-leaning independent MP recently took it upon himself to tell colleagues that the pigs were brought to Parliament with Ingrid’s support.

“I am happy Ingrid will be coming to face us in parliament,” Kakooza happily told a group of MPs.

“She is the very one who has been behind the dumping of pigs at the parliament gate branding us [MPs] M-pigs. Now she wants to join M-pigs as Eala member. We should wait for her that day [February 28, 2017]. We should show her.”

Over to you Hon Ingrid!

‘NantaBaseke’ alliance draws loud murmurs

Junior ICT minister Idah Nantaba and Ntenjeru South MP Fred Baseke are setting the standard for parliamentary cooperation.

On several occasions, journalists have seen the two talking excitedly in the south wing parking, Baseke hanging around for few minutes before Nantaba (also Kayunga Woman MP) is dropped off by her official driver.

When Nantaba arrived last Wednesday, Baseke was again on hand to receive her. Eager to watch the pleasantries, some MPs tipped colleagues to come closer and witness the strength of Nantaba. No sooner had she closed the car door behind her than Baseke stepped forward and carried her handbag with a wide smile on his face.

Naturally, curiosity has not yet killed MPs.

“What does that minister [Nantaba] share in common with Hon Baseke?” One MP from West Nile was overheard asking a colleague from central Uganda, who plainly replied: “The two are from Kayunga district.”

Yet the West Niler did not sound entirely convinced: “Eeeh, but they are lucky to be close to each other; it’s not common with politicians!”

Another MP chipped in: “Yeah, you see, that woman [Nantaba] is his god-mother. She helped him to win his constituency and if it were not for her, maybe he would not be here [parliament]. That is why the two are independents in the house.”

As if by coincidence, some journalists were also discussing the ‘NantaBaseke’ alliance in another corner. One journalist told of how his radio invited Nantaba to talk about some issues within her ministry; instead, Nantaba asked the radio political show host to first call Hon Baseke to establish the time she [Nantaba] would be available.

This left the journalist wondering whether Baseke is Nantaba’s personal assistant. But these journalists also! No wonder the president calls them rumour mongers.

UPC’s Opoka banking on Parliament staff, scribes

Chris Opoka is the UPC candidate for the East African legislative Assembly (Eala). If elected, he will have got himself a second term at the regional parliament.

However, his party members are not sure he will make it on grounds that unlike his fellow legislators seeking a second term, he has been reluctant in soliciting for support among MPs including his own party MPs.

On Tuesday this week during the elections of the Uganda people’s Congress (UPC) party flag bearer, Opoka was put to task to explain why he has not embraced what his members termed as usage of the new technology.

“Hon Opoka its true you are a sitting member of our party [UPC] and you are telling us about institutional memory and how active you have been during your first term, but unlike your colleagues [Mukasa Mbidde and Susan Nakawuki] you are not using digital means like WhatsApp or even SMS. How do you intend to reach voters and when, now that you running out of time?” said Maruzi MP Maxwell Akora.

As Opoka was still digesting this, Erute South MP Jonathan Odur added his voice: “You are here talking about institutional memory but in fact, I have not heard anything about you among those vying for Eala, not even a call or anything to me your party colleague. Are you sure you will have garnered enough support to compete effectively with the other members of the opposition by the time we go to the ballot?”

When he mustered a response, Opoka said he was confident of the journalists’ and parliament staff’s backing.

“I need you and the support from your networks but be assured, I have the support among journalists, I have support from the staff of parliament. They can influence. The staff can influence especially in committees,” Opoka said.

His statement, however, attracted more questions: “Do those categories vote?” one of the six UPC MPs said, to which Opoka replied: “They don’t vote but they can influence.”

Indeed, Wolokoso can also influence.

MP Taaka detests bedroom sex laws

At a meeting of Uganda Women Parliamentary Association (Uwopa) last Wednesday, members resolved to delete the clause about cohabitation and change the title from marriage and divorce to marriage bill.

The Marriage and Divorce bill has been widely resisted by religious institutions. The meeting was held at Hotel Africana and the proposal to have the title of marriage and divorce bill changed came from the Uganda Law Reform Commission in attendance.

MPs welcomed the idea on the basis that the existing title is insensitive and chaotic.

Another contentious issue considered was clause 117 of the bill, which stipulates that persons cohabiting may make an agreement in respect to the ownership of separate property and jointly owned property.

But Bugiri Woman MP Agnes Taaka Wejuli carried the day when she stressed that cohabitation deals with bedroom affairs which do not need a law.

“Sexual acts come out of convincing. People are in their beds; maybe one wants and the other does not want and they negotiate and have the sex. Really if we go out to legislate even on issues that happen in people’s beds, I think we are going too far away,” said Taaka, attracting the loudest cheers from Moroto MP Samuel Okwir and Bunyole West MP James Waluswaka.

“I think that a complete overhaul of the traditional justice system in our country is a mistake. We can come up with clan heads to mediate that other than making a law talking about sex.”

Aheem!