Clarifications Issued by Parliament Regarding Contract with Anita Among’s Radio
Parliament recently refuted claims suggesting that it paid 3.12 billion shillings to Mama Bukedea FM, a radio station owned by Anita Among, the Speaker of Parliament representing Bukedea District. Chris Obore, the Parliament spokesperson, dismissed these allegations, stating that they aimed to tarnish the Speaker’s reputation.
According to Obore, reports regarding this purported payment were intended to smear the Speaker’s image rather than reflect the truth. He emphasized that no such significant sum was disbursed to a radio station owned by the Speaker.
Allegations of corruption, graft, unclear expenditure, nepotism, lack of transparency, and fund diversion within Parliament’s leadership under Anita Among surfaced through hundreds of leaked documents. The Leader of the Opposition in the House, Joel Ssenyonyi, called for an explanation regarding the contract between Parliament and the Speaker’s radio station, questioning the adherence to proper procurement procedures.
Ssenyonyi highlighted that the contracts with Mama Bukedea FM were signed not by station managers but by individuals working in the Speaker’s office, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest. He underscored the need for transparency and accountability in such dealings.
In response to these concerns, Obore clarified that government contracts are often facilitated through framework agreements to simplify interactions with service providers. Pre-qualification processes are employed to assess potential suppliers based on specific criteria, such as financial stability and technical capabilities.
A prequalification framework agreement allows organizations to establish a pool of qualified vendors, streamlining the procurement process and enabling competition for specific projects without repetitive qualification procedures. Obore emphasized that the contract amounts specified in such frameworks do not necessarily represent actual payments but serve as forecasts.
