Parliament Dismisses Claims of Financial Misconduct Involving Speaker Anita Among

Chris Obore, the Parliament publicist, has vehemently rejected accusations leveled against Speaker Rt Hon Anita Among, labeling them as baseless and lacking evidence.

The allegations were raised by the Leader of Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi, who demanded accountability over purported financial irregularities.

Ssenyonyi alleged that substantial amounts of money, totaling billions of shillings, were funneled into the accounts of junior parliamentary staff members on behalf of the Speaker for dubious community projects. Additionally, he questioned the exorbitant travel per diem allegedly issued for the Speaker’s recent trip to Kenya, amounting to a staggering 500 million shillings daily.

Furthermore, Ssenyonyi alleged that Parliament has under unclear circumstances declined to renew contracts of staff under his office who he maintained after the former LOP left office.

Moreover, Ssenyonyi pointed out the allocation of 3.1 billion shillings to a radio station supposedly owned by Speaker Among, called “Mama Bukedea,” for radio advertising services, raising concerns of conflict of interest in the bidding process.

Obore swiftly dismissed these allegations, stating that Parliament will not dignify unsubstantiated claims without evidence. He said with the absence of credible documentation and evidence in addressing such serious accusations,  the purported leaked documents are potentially doctored with malicious intent.

Regarding the issue of contract renewals for staff under the Leader of Opposition’s office, Obore clarified that the Parliamentary Commission holds the authority to recruit, hire, and terminate staff based on available resources.

He refuted Ssenyonyi’s claims, pointing out recent hires made by Ssenyonyi himself, including the appointment of a new spokesperson at his office Ali Mivule, a former journalist.

Regarding the issue of contracts to Mama Bukedea radio, he stated that the government operates by awarding ‘framework’ contracts to suppliers based on their capabilities.

He explained that these suppliers undergo a prequalification process in case the government requires specific services. While framework contracts typically outline a timeframe and an estimated amount to be paid for the work, it does not necessarily mean that the figures are final.

He elaborated that Parliament has over 100 prequalified media houses, but contracts are awarded based on the actual need. He further emphasized that highlighting only the framework contract for Mama Bukedea serves a malicious agenda aimed at smearing Speaker Among.

“I have over 100 pre-qualified media houses, but we only contract them when there is need and they are paid for that particular contract, why they only picked the framework contract for Mama Bukedea FM, again it fits the agenda to smear the person of the Speaker. Public take it from me, no 3.1 billion was paid to the radio station belonging to the speaker of parliament.” he says