The United States of America Secretary of State Anthony Brinksn and First Lady Jilly Bidden handed over ‘The Woman of Courage award’ to Agather Atuhaire, a Ugandan pseudo journalist who has made herself a name in attacking the Speaker of Parliament of Uganda Rt Hon Annet Anita Among.
This was no surprise to many of us, that such an award was given to Agather and not anybody else!
As the Banyankole adage goes, what a coincidence that at the time my sheep got lost is when your dog defecated a hide/skin hair?. That no sooner had Agather started her so-called Parliament Exhibition campaign, than the US homosexuality sponsors gave her an award? That the two had to happen at the same time? That the same US that cancelled Speaker’s visa because of championing Anti-homosexuality law is the one awarding Agather as a so-called ‘human rights’ defender at the peak of an exhibition she has championed against the Speaker?
Undoubtedly, this speaks to the fact that the ongoing Parliament exhibition is rather not about accountability or abuse of office at the institution but a well sponsored campaign targeting Anita Among as a person! It’s the reason all manner of allegations and baseless accusations have been levelled against the Person of Among!
In fact, the award should have been given to Among, because indeed she is a woman of courage. That she stood firm against intimidation and all pressures and passed such an excellent law that protects our values and integrity.
Whereas Parliament could have issues just like any other institution, these minor issues should not be used by the foreign powers to fight the Speaker of Parliament of Uganda with false hope that Uganda’s resolve against homosexuality could be overturned or MPs could be coerced to ever change their mind.
Now that we know who is sponsoring all this malice and propaganda against the Speaker, as Ugandans we should stand as in defence and solidarity of our own Speaker. We can no longer fall into the machinations of the foreign powers to fight our own leader over baseless and malicious propaganda.
For example for the allegations against the Speaker, it is important for Ugandans to know that Parliament runs a recurrent budget which includes MPs and staff salaries, allowances, fuel etc. It also includes facilitation like stationery, meals, sanitation services, rent for some offices, internet , bills like water and electricity, travels and field visits etc.
Parliament budget also includes co-orporate social responsibility like donations among others where Political offices like Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Leader of Opposition, Government Whip etc have budgets to support communities. It is such arrangements that a number of children have got school fees paid for them by the Speaker Annet Among.
So if Anita Among spends money that was budgeted for her office, is that a crime? Is there any staff whose salary or allowance hasn’t been paid because Speakers Expenditure? Is there any MP whose emoluments haven’t been paid? Is there any service provider who is demanding Parliament?
Ugandans should know that Parliament has no budget to make roads, building schools or buying medicine in public hospitals. Parliament allocates money to various Ministries and agencies to do those things. So Ugandans should stop the lazy thinking that Anita Among or MPs are using money meant for hospitals or schools! Whatever money that is spent by Parliament is budgeted for and spent in accordance with the law.
Mukasa Jonan is a Pan African and an independent thinker!
