Corruption by individual MPs doesn’t represent the Institution of Parliament
By Muhimbise George
Following the arrest of three Members of Parliament on allegations of engaging in corruption, the Parliament of Uganda has been on the spotlight as many wonder whether it is capable of carrying out its oversight mandate.
Whereas indeed the act by those MPs put Parliament as an institution in disrepute and tainted its image before the public, it should be noted that the actions of this individual MPS do not necessarily represent Parliament as an institution.
The MPs who engaged in corruption did it on their own and not on behalf of Parliament. What they did if true was actually against the values of Parliament as an institution. Parliament of Uganda is a people centered Parliament and has strived to maintain this standard a few gaps not withstanding.
The Parliament of Uganda has 529 MPS, and if three of them engage in corruption it does not mean that the entire Parliament is corrupt. That would be unfair to judge 529 MPs based on actions of only 3 MPs. Even if it was a research study, a sample size of 3 respondents cannot represent a population of 529 people.
Like any society they will always be rotten tomatoes. Even in a school of 500 students you’ll find some students who are badly behaved. Even in our families, Churches, organizations and even political parties, there will always be individuals who break the law or who act contrary to the expectations of the society. This would not mean that the entire society is rotten.
In any case that’s the reason we have laws in place. Laws are made to regulate or control behavior because it’s the nature of human beings to act outside these established rules.
Secondly, it is also important to note that MPs are part of the Ugandan society. Whereas MPs are expected to behave honorably and indeed many have done so, their behavior reflects the society and its culture. MPs are part of a society that is facing a problem of moral decadence.
The leadership of Parliament has always condemned corruption, the Speaker of Parliament Rt Hon Annet Anita Among and her deputy Rt Hon Thomas Tayebwa have been on record condemning corruption and warning MPs against any forms of corruption. It is on record that the Speaker directed CID to investigate allegations of some MPs who were involved in corruption related to money for Cooperatives, that demonstrates her commitment to fight corruption. Certainly she can’t act without evidence and in any case she has to subject any allegation against MPs to state organs to take action.
Parliament itself has internal checks and mechanisms of dealing with its own members and staff if they engage in corruption. Therefore whereas we condemn corruption and whereas the actions of those MPS are regrettable, they do not represent Parliament.
It should be noted that even some MPs may engage in corruption because they’re trying to meet political pressures from the voters who expect MPs to do each and every development in their Constituencies which include fixing roads, bridges, schools, water sources, churches etc. so the electorates should also not push their MPs into corruption by making excessive demands on them.
Muhimbise George, muhimbiseg@gmail.com 0787836515
