In the last two and a half years, the Rt Hon. Anita Annet Among, affectionately known as AAA, has ascended to considerable power as the Speaker of Uganda’s Parliament, solidifying her position as the third most influential figure in the nation’s leadership hierarchy. However, amidst her rise, concerns have emerged regarding the alleged manipulation of financial decisions and the misappropriation of public funds, particularly through the guise of corporate social responsibility (CSR) claims.
The timely emergence of the #UgandaParliamentExhibition shed light on the pervasive corruption within the August house, revealing a culture of deals, extravagance, and unchecked spending of taxpayers’ money. Spearheaded by prominent voices such as cartoonist Spire Ssentongo, Journalist Agatha Atuhaire, Godwin Toko, and others, the online protest exhibition, primarily hosted on X (formerly Twitter), became a national talking point, sparking widespread protests and scrutiny.
Behind all threats and pretences that Exhibitions don’t work, the #UgandaParliamentExhibition will not leave this Parliament the same. You only need to know what is happening behind closed doors – the panic, the fearful mistakes, hiding evidence, calls, pressure…
— Jim Spire Ssentongo (@SpireJim) March 27, 2024
Actually,… pic.twitter.com/HPCVMYfQlr
Despite attempts by the Speaker to deflect blame onto various scapegoats, including purported sponsorship by “Bumshafters” (Gay Activists) and political rivals, the exhibition persisted. A subsequent visit by the Speaker to President Museveni, culminating in the inauguration of a grand school and teaching hospital she built in her Bukedea district, seemingly aimed to appease critics and bolster her standing. However, astute observers recognized the familiar undertones of the President’s praise, hinting at underlying tensions.
Two weeks following the exhibition, the Ministry of Finance delivered a decisive blow to slash the Parliament’s budget by half—a move vehemently opposed by many parliamentarians, including the Speaker herself. This development signals a critical juncture in Uganda’s political landscape, prompting reflection on the true victors of the #UgandaParliamentExhibition.
Analysts and a significant portion of the Ugandan populace have already castigated the Parliament’s culture of corruption and self-indulgence. The Ministry of Finance’s intervention serves as a definitive rebuke, potentially signaling the beginning of the end for the era of extravagance within the Parliament and its leadership.
As the nation watches with bated breath, the question remains: Who emerges victorious amidst the fallout of the #UgandaParliamentExhibition?
