I had my day in parliament last week when the public was invited to partake in parliamentary activities to gain greater insights into legislative work.
My task was to chair a civil society debate on a theme ‘Building a strong people-centred parliament – the role of the public.’ There was a lot to learn! The speaker, Rebecca Kadaga, opened proceedings and spelled out the 10th parliament’s ambitions.
The House is committed to excellent relations, openness and greater engagement with civil society and the general public. It is the reason for parliament’s interest in acquiring television and radio stations, Kadaga asserted. This mode of communication would enhance parliament’s outreach programme that has enabled visits to all regions in the country.
The keynote speaker was the deputy speaker, Jacob Oulanyah. In his opinion, parliament is stronger, independent and delivers more than ever. Although there was some heckling when he asked if there was anyone that could accuse parliament of being weak, he gave examples justifying the institution’s strength.
The one thing most people agreed on was that today’s parliamentarian is so different from the past’s. Indeed, one of the participants described them as mobile ATMs in the way they are perceived, particularly in rural areas. If you spend just an hour with an MP today, this can be verified quickly. On average, an MP receives no less than 20 phone calls an hour and most are urgent save-our-soul issues – money for school fees, weddings, burials and more!
Oulanyah delivered his presentation in a series of questions all implying that with the breakdown of the ‘social contract’ in Uganda, it is difficult for an MP to play their role as it was envisaged way back at parliament’s initiation in the early 1960s.
His view is that the public needs to reach out a lot more and participate in legislation, for example, by commissioning private bills that are so underused. Perhaps Oulanyah needs to urge MPs to engage the question of the social contract; otherwise, commercialisation of parliamentary politics is bound to get worse.
The first respondent, former MP Dan Wandera Ogalo, disagreed with Oulanyah, arguing that parliament needs to do more to reach out to the public. He cited Kenya, where it is now constitutionally mandatory to engage stakeholders or involve the public before passing any law. Ogalo also decried the methodology in some cases where public hearings are conducted without experts that would provide technical knowledge.
I liked Prof Gerald Karyeija, whose speech was founded on romantic or idealistic democratic concepts. What does ‘people-centred’ mean; should it not include representation of non-citizens? Have we cared about the quality or goodness of the MPs we elect?
Have we considered that it is no longer easy to become an MP? These are questions I came up with, listening to him. For his conclusion, he assigned homework that I pass on now: Do look up and learn from the Swedish parliamentary Committee of the Future!
On completion of the debate, we were treated to a lovely buffet lunch followed by a tour of parliament and, interestingly, a photograph I took in the House has ‘caught fire’ on social media. I have attracted more than 100 likes on Facebook plus several on Twitter and Instagram! That is a first for me, but it is telling!
Despite the poor image of MPs in the mainstream media, especially when they are agitating for allowances, it seems that parliament is held in high esteem. I received blessings, good wishes and even congratulatory messages plus plenty of jokes, of course!
So, we do like our friends and relatives to become MPs and perhaps we are ready to criticise them because an MP is held in high regard. Our expectations are unrealistically-high yet, as the deputy speaker pointed out, today’s MP is different from those of the past!
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On another note this will be my last column in The Observer – for now! I started this journey four years ago this February!
How I got the job is a story often told to my students when preaching about work and good practice. I am grateful to my editors for the opportunity and for allowing me to express myself every week as I have chosen.
Just like Moses Khisa (PhD), a fellow columnist in The Observer, paused to ponder at the end of last year, I have worried about my article at the beginning of every week for the last four years!
Will I express a clear and legible opinion, am I relevant, is my choice of words suitable, etc? There are some readers that have engaged with all my pieces; they applaud, criticise, advise…! I thank you all! Adieu!
osm@kigothinkers.org
The author is one of the founding Kigo Thinkers.