Speaker Anita Among Blasts Former Speaker Kadaga – Claims Kadaga And Other Old Women Are Behind The Attacks Against Her

In a surprising development, Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, has claimed that former Speaker Rebecca Kadaga could be a significant factor behind the public’s demand for accountability regarding the House’s lavish spending.

Among’s assertion not only underscores the escalating tensions in the political arena but also underscores the intricacies of power dynamics and accountability within the government. This revelation calls for a deeper examination of Among’s motives and potential implications for the ongoing discourse on transparency and accountability within the legislature.

Furthermore, this highlights Speaker Among’s apparent reluctance to address the public’s demand for accountability regarding the extravagant expenditures in the Parliament, as highlighted on social media platforms.

Ugandans have been exposing corruption within the House through social media, particularly under the hashtag ‘UgandaParliamentExhibition,’ for the past month. The revelations from this exhibition have shocked many, revealing how lawmakers are using public funds for personal gain. The widespread dissemination of this information has sparked outrage and raised significant concerns about transparency and accountability in public spending.

The impact of the exhibition has extended beyond the walls of the House, particularly affecting the National Unity Platform (NUP). Following the exhibition’s identification of former Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Mathias Mpuuga, in alleged corruption, the NUP leadership swiftly moved to accuse him of embezzling funds. Subsequently, the party intensified its efforts to publicly shame and remove Mpuuga, shedding light on internal weaknesses and controversies within the once-united party.

Returning to the core issue, during an emergency plenary meeting convened by Maama Bukedea last week, a critical development unfolded. Members of Parliament, led by Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi, called for discussions on the alleged corruption within the Parliament in response to public outcry.

During the plenary session, Theodore Ssekikubo, an legislator affiliated with the National Resistance Movement (NRM), emphasized the importance of addressing allegations of misappropriation of public funds and extravagant spending in the 11th Parliament. Ssekikubo’s stance highlighted the necessity of responding to public concerns and upholding accountability within the legislature.

“We are having a big problem; we can’t sit here as if nothing wrong has happened. I was amazed that in your communication, you didn’t make a mention of the grave allegations against the institution of Parliament where I belong as a member. I am here as MP and once this House is tarnished the way it is, I can’t sit comfortably here and say we move to other items,” said Mr Ssekikuubo.

He added; “There has been deafening silence from this institution regarding the issues raised by the people and like we are saying, we are a people-centered Parliament. I have seen the Spokesperson of this Parliament on some TV and Radio stations confirming some, saying some [reports] are partially correct, others are exaggerated. But this institution, which is a people-centered Parliament hasn’t come out comprehensively, unequivocally, to explain itself to the people, to account to the people of Uganda.”

However, the Speaker vehemently defended herself, refusing to entertain discussions based on speculation and hearsay in the absence of concrete evidence. She argued that such tactics aimed to tarnish the reputation of the House and its leadership, attributing the calls for accountability to opposition to her support for the Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2023, rather than genuine concerns from Ugandan citizens.

“I will never give you an answer based on hearsay or rumor mongering. And we aren’t going to run this House on rumor mongering. Me to answer you on hearsay? On things you have cooked on social media because I have said no to bum shafting (homosexuality), I will not,” she said last week.

The Speaker’s remarks left many Ugandans puzzled, as they questioned the relevance of the topic of homosexuality to the public’s legitimate demand for transparency from elected officials. This assertion has sparked debates and raised concerns about the politicization of accountability measures and the diversion from addressing pressing issues.

However, as the nation grapples with the unexpected connection between homosexuality and corruption in the Parliament, the Speaker has made another startling revelation during a visit to Bukedea. She accused senior female party members of actively working against her, hinting at former Speaker Kadaga without explicitly naming her, further fueling speculation and raising questions about the intricate political dynamics at play.

“Those fighting us, are fighting you! And it’s high time we chess away those old women, send away those old women because they want to cause problems here, they tend to make us remain poor whereas Kamuli is developed. Don’t you want to develop here? We are going to develop you,” she Said.

She added; “They want to reclaim the seat of Speakership, what did they leave there, they derailed us? You mean in Teso we don’t need a speaker, in Bukedea we don’t need a speaker? Maybe I’m a better asset than them. I’m a speaker of Parliament courtesy of President Museveni and I want to tell you, we are still there! By the Grace of God those who think they will continue fighting us, will be put to shame.”

Bugabula North Constituency is represented by Teira John, while Bugabula South is represented by Kibalya Henry, both of whom are men affiliated with the NRM. Kamuli Municipality is represented by Kayanga Baroda, an independent male. Buzaaya constituency is represented by Mugabi Muzaale Martin Kasule, also a male and affiliated with the NRM.

However, the Kamuli Women representative is Rebecca Kadaga, a female and elderly leader who has held a prominent position in the August House for over two decades.Hence, when Among suggests a desire to “reclaim the speakership,” particularly emphasizing age and influence within Kamuli district, it becomes evident that Kadaga is the sole individual fitting this description.

Kadaga’s unique status as the only Kamuli resident to have served as Speaker of Parliament aligns with Among’s inquiry about what influential figures from Kamuli have contributed to the Parliament.