The Speaker of Parliament, Anita Annet Among, expressed her disappointment and anger when none of the 83 ministers appeared in Parliament to respond to pressing national queries. The Speaker’s frustration was palpable as she criticized the ministers for their absence, citing it as a severe breach of their duties.
The incident unfolded when Speaker Among entered the House at precisely 2 p.m., only to find an empty front bench, devoid of the ministers who were expected to represent the Executive branch. After the customary opening prayers, she voiced her indignation, questioning why the “highly paid” ministers were nowhere to be seen and whether Parliament was meant solely for backbenchers.
Ms. Among firmly asserted, “If we are supposed to have the ministers represent the Executive, then we should have ministers on this front bench, but we cannot come here as Members of Parliament, waste our time, talk, and nobody is [here] to respond, and they are paid highly.”
She further added, “Honorable members, I am not sure we are going to continue like this. I think I need to talk to the Executive on this matter…If this House is meant for only the Members of Parliament, then let us be told that.” She made it clear that she intended to address this issue with the Executive and promptly adjourned the House until the following day.
Rule 50(1) of the Parliament Rules of Procedure mandates ministers to attend parliamentary sessions and respond to questions as part of the accountability mechanism enshrined in the doctrine of the separation of powers.
Under the 1995 Constitution, the three branches of government—the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary—each hold distinct powers aimed at safeguarding citizens’ well-being and preventing dictatorship and corruption.
This isn’t the first time Speaker Among has had to confront the issue of absenteeism. She and her deputy, Thomas Tayebwa, have consistently warned ministers and MPs against avoiding their parliamentary duties. Speaker Among had previously promised to monitor legislators’ attendance using biometrics and to publish attendance records and performance data from previous sessions as part of her efforts to combat rampant absenteeism.
However, some ministers offered explanations for their late arrival. The Minister for Defence and Veterinary Affairs, Mr. Vincent Ssempijja, cited traffic congestion as the reason for his tardiness, saying, “I started moving from Mbuya at 1 p.m., but the road has a lot of traffic jams. Even with sirens, you cannot push your way through the traffic jam.” He emphasized his commitment to parliamentary authority and punctuality.
Mr. Huda Oleru, the State Minister of Defense and Veterinary Affairs, echoed similar sentiments, explaining that the workload on ministers’ desks sometimes makes it challenging to attend parliamentary sittings on time. He expressed regret over the House’s adjournment and pledged to improve attendance.
In response to the ministers’ absence, Mr. Jonathan Ebwalu, the Soroti West legislator, voiced his disappointment, criticizing the government’s efficiency and calling for swift action to address the issue.
The incident highlights a pressing concern about the attendance and punctuality of ministers in parliamentary sessions, raising questions about the effectiveness of government accountability and service delivery in the country. Speaker Among’s resolve to address this matter with the Executive underscores the need for a more disciplined and accountable government presence in Parliament.
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