Kampala, Uganda: Professor Morris Ogenga Latigo, the first Leader of the Opposition under Uganda’s restored multi-party system and former Agago MP, has criticized the current leadership at Parliament.
Speaking to Uganda Radio Network, Latigo expressed his dissatisfaction with Speaker Annet Anita Among and her Deputy Thomas Tayebwa, claiming they do not deserve their positions.
Latigo, who also represented Uganda at the Pan-African Parliament, likened the current Parliament to a district council, suggesting that individuals unfit for parliamentary roles occupy seats.
He stated, “Our Parliament is like a district council. People who should not be parliamentarians are there. I have no fear in saying the current speaker does not deserve to be the speaker of Parliament. Neither does the deputy. What qualifications do they have? What experience in terms of stature? And worst I was told MPS get money even to pass laws. Which is worse than even eating money for projects.”
Latigo expressed his anger over alleged corruption, abuse of office, and extortion within the current parliamentary leadership.
Reports indicate that Speaker Among and Deputy Tayebwa have personally benefited from the allocation of public funds to their private residences. This revelation follows a series of scandals exposed under the “Parliament Exhibition” campaign, which Among dismissed as rumours and attributed to her support for the Anti-Homosexuality Act.
Recent media reports revealed that hundreds of millions of shillings were allocated from Parliament to procure generators for the private residences of the speaker and her deputy, with the contracts cleared by the Solicitor General.
This has sparked controversy, with some MPs, led by Theodore Sekikubo, attempting to censure back-bench Members of Parliament who double as Parliament Commissioners. Among the controversial beneficiaries was former Leader of Opposition Matthias Mpuuga, who reportedly received 500 million shillings.
Latigo called for a reduction in the size of Parliament, citing the lavish expenses and the current rate of corruption. He also criticized the electorate for voting based on money rather than competence.
However, he applauded President Museveni for taking action against corruption, drawing parallels with the era of Idi Amin and emphasizing the importance of consistent efforts in combating corruption.
Relating the current situation to Amin’s regime, Latigo expressed hope that corruption could end if the President remains consistent in his fight.
“For those MPs who have been got, they laid their bed so let them lay on it,” he said. Addressing President Museveni directly, Latigo urged, “To the president, either you let systems work or it is your legacy at stake. You are already on the wrong side of 50 like me and in terms of your duration as a president you are on the wrong side so use this last moment to clean the systems in this country, to let it start working again and you will retire a very peaceful man.”
Recently, President Museveni confirmed receiving reports and evidence of corruption in Parliament and ministries, promising to address the issue. “I have been hearing stories that there is a racket from the Ministry of Finance to Parliament. I didn’t believe this but now I have proof so I don’t know how we can arrange (what do we call it) amnesty,” he said. He added, “This corruption which is happening is not happening in the moon but is happening here. Of course, now I have opened a war with them so be sure that you are not in my gun side because we cannot let our people down.”
Former Lands Minister Daniel Omara Atubo also took to social media, lamenting the deep-rooted corruption in Uganda and questioning who is responsible for the vice.
“In Uganda today, corruption is so deep that anybody can be bought including cultural and religious leaders. No Integrity. No Shame. No Conscience. Money is everything. WHY? Who caused the corruption?” he wondered.
