Let’s not do mob justice against Parliament, Let’s get the facts right!
The ongoing Uganda Parliament Exhibition on has turned out to be more of an attack and cyber bullying against the person of Anita Among rather than focusing on the facts as they should be.
The moment a genuine struggle turns becomes political, it becomes difficult to win.
The exhibitors have thrown all manner of accusations and allegations against the Speaker, judged her unheard and sometimes based on misinformation and lies. To them, the principal of presumption of innocence until proven guilty does not apply.
I am not involved in the operations of Parliament but as a researcher and some one who passed through a human rights law class, I must give the benefit of doubt to Anita Among.
90 percent of the money being thrown around as having been spent by the Among is about Corporate Social Responsibility by Parliament. This is money budgeted for and allocated to the Speaker’s office and the relevant departments of Parliament.
This is not new in Uganda’s governance system. The President has over 200 billion budget for donations and there is no policy on how this money should be spent or accounted for!
The Speaker being number three in hierarchy also has demands that require monetary support. An ordinary MP will receive over 100 calls daily asking for money, how many requests do you think a Speaker receives? Isn’t it your Bishops, Pastors, Reverends, cultural leaders etc who go to the Speaker asking for money to support community projects? Do you expect a Bishop to visit the Speaker of Parliament asking for a contribution and he walks away empty-handed even when local Councilors are making financial contributions?
The other day a child from Nakasero Primary School stormed Parliament and went to the Speaker’s office requesting for help. Recently Dr Miria Matembe took a couple which had given birth to triplets to the Speaker for help. Where do people expect Anita Among to get money to help such people?
Whenever there is any social event by a cultural or religious institution, the first people to run to for money are political leaders like the President, Speaker, MPs, LCV Chairs etc. Because it is the culture we have adopted as a society, the political leaders have no choice!
So the assumption or assertion that Speaker Anita Among withdraws money for Corporate Social Responsibility and this money is stolen or mis used is not necessarily true!
For instance Anita Among contributed 100 million towards the construction of Virika Cathedral in Fortportal in 2022. This money didn’t end in Among’s personal pocket. Again this was not Teso sub region.
Among contributed 120 million on a fundraising to raise money to support women groups in Ngariam in Katakwi district. Who benefited from these funds? Isn’t it the ordinary woman in Katakwi?
Anita Among, contributed Shs 120 million towards construction of the Kitovu Education Centre at St Henry’s College Kitovu in Masaka ahead of its centenary celebrations in July 2022. Again this was Buganda not Teso.
Among contributed 20m towards construction of Kasasira Health Centre III in Kibuku district. Doesn’t this serve the common man? She also contributed 50 million to St. Kizito Catholic Parish Paya in Tororo district.
In 2022 Among contributed 36 million towards the construction of Buwunga and Busowa Health Centres in Bukholi, Bugiri District. Doesn’t this facility help ordinary Ugandan?
Speaker Among contributed 30 million towards the clearance of the Church House loan. Is the Church House Among’s personal project?
In 2022 when Parliament hosted Muslims for a feast, Anita Among donated Shs 50 million to the Al-Hidaya Mosque. In April 2023 she also contributed 50m towards Uganda Muslim Supreme Council children’s fund at the Uganda Moslem women’s day, won’t these projects benefit ordinary muslims?
In 2022 Among contributed 50 million towards Celebration of Uganda Martyrs celebration. The money was handed to Bishop Dr Sheldon Mwesigye. Every year the Speaker contributes to both Anglican and catholic shrines celebration. Take note that these events promote tourism.
Among contributed 20m to North Mbale dioecece, at Mathew Cathedral, In Jan 2024. She also contributed 20m towards construction of Nakasole centre mosque in Mbale among others.
Among also contributed 36 million towards the construction of science and laboratories in Nyabushozi in a function organized by the North Ankole dioecece. She also did the same in Karusandara in Kasese on invitation of Hon Kambale, Rukiga on Invitation of Hon Roland, contributed 20m and a fundraising event organized by Kahinda Otafiire among many others.
So as Ugandans, we have a right to demand accountability, we have a right to ask policy related questions regarding Corporate Social Responsibility by Parliament, but we can’t run away from a society we have created.
Therefore in conclusion, it is not fair for the exhibitors to create an impression that the Speaker Anita Among withdraws billions of money and uses it as she pleases!
George is a Policy analyst!
