By Edwin Muhumuza
KAMPALA—The Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Joel Ssenyonyi, has launched a scathing attack on Speaker of Parliament Anita Among, accusing her of shielding four parliamentary commissioners who have come under scrutiny for their involvement in a controversial self-awarded service bonus.
Speaking to the press on August 22, Ssenyonyi argued that despite a recent court ruling clearing the commissioners of wrongdoing, the indictment of the Clerk to Parliament is a strong indicator of unethical practices. “The fact that the clerk was indicted is evidence enough that those who sat and allocated the service award to themselves are immoral,” Ssenyonyi stated.
He further criticized Speaker Among for allegedly protecting the commissioners, warning that their exoneration by the court does not clear them of ethical responsibility. “The Speaker should not try to shield these individuals because there are many problematic activities that have taken place within that commission,” he added.
Opposition Boycotts Regional Sittings
Ssenyonyi also reiterated his opposition to the ongoing regional parliamentary sittings, a move he has previously criticized as a wasteful expenditure in the face of more pressing national issues. He was particularly incensed by the use of his image in promotional materials for the sittings, despite his clear stance against the initiative.
“I saw yesterday my picture being used to promote these regional sittings even after we came out clearly expressing concerns over it,” Ssenyonyi said. He suggested that instead of the costly regional sessions, Parliament should allocate a week for each region to convene its leaders and develop action plans. “This approach would be less costly and more effective than spending billions on the current activity,” he opined.
The opposition’s boycott of the sittings has sparked criticism from some regional legislators, who accused Ssenyonyi of neglecting certain areas. However, he dismissed these claims, pointing out that many regional issues, such as the Karuma Bridge concerns, have been raised repeatedly in Parliament without any meaningful action from the government.
Government Criticized Over Kiteezi Landfill Disaster Response
In a separate matter, Ssenyonyi condemned the government’s response to the Kiteezi landfill disaster, where several lives were lost due to what he termed as “government negligence.” He criticized the UGX 5 million compensation offered to the victims’ families, calling it grossly inadequate.
“We are demanding that the government immediately compensate these families adequately. If this does not happen swiftly, we will support the families in taking legal action against the government and Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA),” Ssenyonyi warned.
The Leader of the Opposition’s statements have added fuel to ongoing debates about governance and accountability in Parliament, as well as the effectiveness of the government’s response to national crises. As the opposition continues to challenge the status quo, the coming weeks are likely to see heightened political tensions in the country.
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