LOP Ssenyonyi Accuses Speaker Among of Mismanaging Parliamentary Commission

Leader of the Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi, has raised serious concerns about the management of the Parliamentary Commission by Speaker Anita Among.

During a press briefing at Parliament, Ssenyonyi accused Speaker Among of running the Commission as her personal enterprise, excluding him from crucial meetings, and called on the police to expand their investigation into the alleged corruption within the Commission.

Ssenyonyi mentioned the financial discrepancies within Parliament, pointing out that numerous committees are unable to perform their oversight functions due to a supposed lack of funds. In contrast, substantial sums are being spent by the Speaker on Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives.

“Let Parliament work as an institution, and not someone’s small kiosk or small property,” Ssenyonyi stated.

He emphasized that the current mismanagement is detrimental to the country’s governance and vowed to continue speaking out against these practices. “I am challenging this and will not be silenced. I was elected by the people of Nakawa West, and I am accountable to them.”

He further alleged that the Parliamentary Commission operates in a secretive manner, making decisions and distributing funds among a select few without proper transparency. Ssenyonyi called for a broader investigation into the Commission’s activities, asserting that the corruption probe should start there if it is to be effective.

“As some MPs are being arrested, we need to broaden the investigation of the Parliament of Uganda beginning with the Parliamentary Commission because that is where lots of things are happening,” Ssenyonyi remarked.

He expressed suspicion over the clandestine operations of the Commission and demanded accountability and transparency.

Ssenyonyi also pointed to potential conflicts of interest within the Commission, where contracts are allegedly awarded to companies linked to those attending the secretive meetings. He suggested that this might be the reason for his exclusion from these meetings, as he would question these practices.