Mbarara, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among, has dismissed the anti-corruption protesters targeting parliament, and stated that she is not willing to step down from her position.
Speaking at the thanksgiving function for Mzee Daudi Bangirana, father of Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, at Rwakitandara Playground in Bitereko Sub County, Among criticized what she described as the demonization of Parliament through negative politics.
She emphasized that Members of Parliament do not serve as accounting officers and refuted claims of corruption within the Parliament. Among suggested that the anti-corruption protests were targeting Parliament due to its adherence to family values and Ugandan traditions against homo sexuality.
“Saying Anita must resign, resign and go where? These MPs aren’t accounting officers, we don’t account, the stealing doesn’t start from Parliament. Let us not demonize Parliament,” she said
She argued that the protests stemmed from a failure to uphold these values, stating, “When you look at the bible it says Adam was given to Eve and not Eve to Eve or Adam was not given to Adam so that’s why we are proud as parliament and when you see the demonstrations that are in town, they are demonstrating because they have failed and don’t want us to respect our values and as Ugandans.”
She also announced her intention to remain in office, noting she has another five-year term before planning to hand over the Speakership to Tayebwa for the term 2031-2036.
At the same event, President Museveni cautioned politicians against interfering with the work of civil servants, stressing that the fight against corruption should be left to technical experts rather than politicians.
He stated, ““Civil servants you should not allow Politicians to interfere with your work, you should be very strict, don’t allow anybody to mislead you, because it is you who will be accountable”. The President’s comments were in response to accusations made by Mitooma District Chairperson Benon Karyeija, who had criticized civil servants, including Chief Administrative Officers, Permanent Secretaries, Sub County Chiefs, Procurement Officers, and Criminal Investigating Officers, for alleged corruption and collusion with Human Resource Officers in local government.
In his homily, Archbishop Lambert Beinomugisha of the Archdiocese of Mbarara urged leaders to display humility and unity as essential traits for community development.
He also commended the Deputy Speaker, Tayebwa, for the reconstruction of St. Karoli Lwanga Kigarama Catholic Parish in Bitereko Sub County to the tune of sh2.7 billion. The reconstruction was dedicated to his grandmother, Julita Kaijarubi Tirungyerwa, who raised him from the age of six and instilled strong religious values in him.
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