The Parliament of Uganda, which was adjourned indefinitely on March 6, is set to reconvene amidst growing demands for transparency and accountability. The decision to resume parliamentary sessions comes after calls from both the Opposition and some members of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) to address allegations of mismanagement and abuse.
Reconvening of Parliament
Parliament is scheduled to reconvene on Friday, March 15, 2024, at 10 am, as communicated by Clerk to Parliament, Adolf Mwesige. The adjournment on March 6, orchestrated by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, was criticized as poorly timed given the pressing issues at hand.
The Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Joel Ssenyonyi, and two NRM legislators urged for Parliament’s recall to address the ongoing allegations. Consequently, a letter was written to the Speaker, Ms. Anita Among, urging swift action before the end of the week.
Agenda for the Session
The agenda for the upcoming session includes receiving ministerial policy statements as part of the budget process, action taken reports, and ministerial statements on various issues. Additionally, the re-designation of members to committees will take place. However, there is no specific item addressing the recent allegations within the agenda.
Clarification from Parliament
Mr. Chris Obore, the Parliament director of Communication and Public Affairs, clarified that the recall of Parliament is primarily driven by legal obligations, particularly the reception of ministerial policy statements. He emphasized that it is unrelated to social media rumors but assured that any pertinent issues would be addressed within parliamentary rules.
Call for Transparency
The proponents of Parliament’s recall emphasized the importance of addressing the allegations transparently. Mr. Ssenyonyi stressed the necessity for clarification on the issues raised, highlighting the risk of being perceived as concealing them. Similarly, Mr. Barnabas Tinkasimire, an NRM MP supporting the resumption, emphasized the need for a forensic audit to validate the allegations.
Background of Allegations
The allegations of mismanagement first surfaced on social media platforms, raising concerns about corruption, extravagant spending, questionable recruitments, and contract awards within Parliament. Mr. Ssenyonyi indicated the intention to seek explanations from the Parliamentary Commission, responsible for budget oversight.
Need for Audit
Both Mr. Ssenyonyi and Mr. Tinkasimire emphasized the necessity of a comprehensive audit to ascertain the validity of the allegations. They argued that an audit would provide clarity on the legality of expenditures and potentially lead to prosecutions if discrepancies are found.
Differing Views
While some MPs advocated for transparency and accountability through audits, others expressed reservations. Lillian Aber, a Kitgum Woman MP, argued that statutory requirements mandated the Auditor General to conduct audits, suggesting reliance on social media could disrupt parliamentary proceedings.
