Former lawmakers have come together to address a pressing issue: the lack of recognition and acknowledgment of their contributions to governance. This call for action emerged during a symposium organized by the Association of Parliamentary Alumni of Uganda (PAU) on Friday, May 3, 2024.
PAU serves as a platform for former lawmakers, uniting over 1,100 registered individuals who served across the first to tenth Parliament. Chaired by the incumbent First Deputy Premier and Minister for East Africa Community (EAC) Affairs, Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, the association aims to preserve the legacies of its members.
The impetus for this initiative stems from a series of disheartening encounters, where esteemed former legislators found themselves marginalized and overlooked. Beatrice Kiraso, former EAC deputy secretary-general, emphasized the importance of documenting their contributions to prevent their legacies from fading into obscurity.
Kiraso recounted an incident at a recent event in Kabale, where she, alongside other former MPs, received a lukewarm reception. She expressed disappointment at the lack of basic courtesy displayed by some current MPs, highlighting the need for mutual respect and recognition within the parliamentary community.
Former Kabarole District Woman MP, Kiraso, further lamented the absence of introductions for elder statesmen like retired Colonel Steven Basaliza, emphasizing the prevalent disregard for their presence and contributions.
Basaliza echoed Kiraso’s sentiments, emphasizing the urgency of documenting their experiences to preserve institutional memory. He emphasized the need for enhanced communication channels, advocating for the collection of contact information to facilitate future collaborations and engagements.
Former Minister for the Presidency and Kampala Affairs, Kabakumba Masiko, proposed a proactive approach to garner visibility by forming a think tank. She urged colleagues to leverage their expertise by organizing symposiums and conferences to address pertinent issues, presenting themselves as valuable resources to the public.
Masiko shared a troubling incident in Eastern Uganda, where former lawmakers were relegated to tents meant for commoners, underscoring the prevailing disregard for their status and contributions.
The symposium provided a platform for former lawmakers to voice their concerns and strategize on ways to address the challenges of recognition and visibility. Present at the event were prominent figures from Uganda’s political landscape, including former Inspector General of Government Augustine Ruzindana, former lands minister Daniel Omara Atubo, and Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) President Patrick Oboi Amuriat.
