Opinion: Speaker Among Is Crucified For Implementing A Lawful Program- Sserumaga.

By David Serumaga.

The Writer is a Student of Law.

This week, I    witnessed significant development for former Speakers and Deputy Speakers of the Ugandan Parliament, as Rt Hon. Anita Annet Among, the current Speaker, initiated a program within the bounds of the law to acknowledge their valuable contributions. The recent enactment of the Parliamentary Pension Act broadened the scope of benefits to include all Speakers since 1979, encompassing distinguished individuals such as President Museveni, Edward Rugumayo, Francis Butagira, Al Haji Moses Kigongo, Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi, and Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga.

In adherence to the stipulations outlined in Section 1 (1) of the Parliamentary Pension Act, Rt. Hon Anita Annet Among extended the gesture of presenting new vehicles to esteemed former Speakers and Deputy Speakers. Among the recipients were distinguished individuals such as Al Haji Moses Kigongo, Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi, Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, Ambassador Francis Butagira, and Professor Edward Rugumayo.

However, amidst this positive development, there has been criticism directed towards Speaker Among from certain political figures. Importantly, it should be noted that some of these critics are Members of Parliament who were directly involved in amending the law that mandated the program she executed.

The transparency demonstrated by Speaker Among during the public delivery of the vehicles, in the presence of journalists, serves as a testament to her adherence to legal protocols. Rather than assigning blame to her, attention is redirected towards advising current Members of Parliament who participated in amending the law that they now deem as 'suboptimal.' The suggestion is made for a reconsideration and potential revision of the legislation to ensure a more balanced and prudent approach, thereby avoiding any perception of extravagance.

The narrative underscores the commitment of the Speaker of the 11th Parliament to legal compliance, highlighting her expression of appreciation for former Speakers while they are still alive, acknowledging their substantial contributions to the country. The argument posits that if the law indeed grants these beneficiaries their entitlements, it is fitting for them to receive such recognition. Any concerns or dissatisfaction are suggested to be channeled towards a constructive dialogue aimed at amending the law itself, fostering a collaborative approach to address any perceived shortcomings.

Moreover, the article calls for a collaborative approach to address any perceived shortcomings in the law itself. It draws attention to a prevailing tendency in Uganda to critique individuals who demonstrate commendable performance, exemplifying this with the case of former Executive Director of Kampala Capital City Authority, Jennifer Musisi. Despite facing criticism during her tenure, Musisi is now receiving praise in the aftermath of her departure. This observation underscores the importance of balanced perspectives and acknowledges the evolving nature of public perception.

There's a bit of a problem because some of the people who got the vehicles still have good jobs with lots of benefits from the government. This has made some people worried that it might seem a bit greedy. The suggestion is that we should maybe change the law (Parliamentary Pension Act) to avoid this perception. Instead of blaming anyone, the focus is on Members of Parliament.They are the ones who can change this "bad law." A suggestion is made to voters to remind their representatives about their power to make, change, or get rid of laws according to the constitution.

In conclusion, the narrative urges a reconsideration of the current law rather than criticizing Speaker Among, emphasizing the importance of the constitutional powers of Members of Parliament in shaping legislation for the development of the country. 

Furthermore, Article 259 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda grants Members of Parliament the authority to introduce, modify, or repeal any law that might not be beneficial for the country's progress. If there's a perceived failure in this regard, the narrative encourages voters to remind their elected representatives of their constitutional power to create and amend laws, emphasizing that it is ultimately the responsibility of MPs to implement these changes.