President Museveni has stepped forward to defend the Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Anita Annet Among, against online criticism regarding allegations of corruption and misuse of parliamentary funds.
The Speaker has faced scrutiny on social media platforms, particularly under the hashtag Uganda Parliament Exhibition, over accusations of financial mismanagement within Parliament.
Addressing the issue during an event in Bukedea on Saturday, President Museveni acknowledged the attacks on Speaker Among and other Members of Parliament. He attributed some of the challenges faced by younger MPs, whom he described as learners, to their inexperience and eagerness upon entering politics.
President Museveni assured that within the National Resistance Movement (NRM), efforts are made to provide support and guidance to MPs who may find themselves in difficult situations, emphasizing the party’s commitment to assisting its members.
Speaking to residents in Bukedea at Emokor Grounds, President Museveni’s remarks came in the wake of his participation in the commissioning of Bukedea Teaching Hospital and College of Health Sciences, projects spearheaded by Hon. Among, the Bukedea District Woman Member of Parliament.
The President attributed Uganda’s primary challenges not to the actions of individuals like the Speaker but rather to what he referred to as traitors working for foreign interests. He criticized those collaborating with external entities, particularly those advocating for agendas deemed harmful to Ugandan interests, such as promoting homosexuality and imperialism.
President Museveni assured that efforts were underway to identify and expose individuals behind the social media attacks on Hon. Among, emphasizing the need to focus attention on those collaborating with foreign actors rather than targeting internal figures.
Despite allegations circulated by activists regarding misuse of public funds, Parliament has denied any wrongdoing on the part of Speaker Among.
President Museveni commended Speaker Among for her collaboration with the government and her role in fostering unity, expressing appreciation for her willingness to engage directly with government officials rather than resorting to social media platforms.
In addition to defending Speaker Among, President Museveni reiterated his call for Ugandans to engage in activities aimed at enhancing food security and generating income to improve their livelihoods.
He emphasized the importance of initiatives such as Entandikwa, NAADS, Operation Wealth Creation, Parish Development Model, and Emyooga in poverty alleviation efforts and highlighted the government’s commitment to providing free education in government schools to combat ignorance.
During the commissioning of Bukedea Teaching Hospital, President Museveni commended Speaker Among’s innovative efforts in initiating projects aimed at transforming the lives of Ugandans positively. He acknowledged her active role in addressing societal needs, including education and healthcare provision.
Furthermore, President Museveni revealed his engagement with Speaker Among regarding the source of funds for the establishment of the hospital, praising her accountability and dedication to community development.
In addition to inaugurating the hospital, President Museveni commissioned the Gen. MK Block at Bukedea Comprehensive School, recognizing Speaker Among’s contributions to education and employment creation in the region.
The event witnessed the attendance of several government officials, including the Minister of State for Primary Education, the Minister of State for Health (General Duties), and the NRM National Vice Chairperson-Eastern Uganda, among others, who lauded Speaker Among’s initiatives for their positive impact on the community.
In response, Speaker Among expressed gratitude for the support received from President Museveni, affirming her commitment to advancing the development agenda in Bukedea and beyond. She highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts in achieving sustainable socio-economic transformation and thanked the President for his unwavering support.
