Summary:
- Peter Mpaka, one of the activists, lamented, “The troubling reality is that many of us who attempt to rationalize this impunity and vilify those endeavoring to expose it are in dire need of functional public health facilities and schools, unlike the privileged few we defend, who can seek treatment abroad.”
MBARARA: Enraged activists and concerned citizens in Mbarara City, unified under the banner of Rise against Poverty Uganda (RAP-Uganda), are demanding the immediate resignation of the Speaker of the 11th Parliament of Uganda, Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among.
This call to action comes in the wake of recent UK Government sanctions against Among, implicating her in the Karamoja iron sheet corruption scandal.
Led by Aaron Ainomugisha, these activists insist that Speaker Anita Among must step down promptly to allow for a thorough investigation into the allegations of corruption during her tenure in Parliament.
Speaking at a press conference held at the Grand Holiday Hotel in Mbarara City on Saturday, they further rallied Ugandans to exercise their constitutional authority outlined in Article 83. They urged citizens to hold their legislators accountable for failing to fulfill their oversight duties mandated by Parliament.
Peter Mpaka, one of the activists, lamented, “The troubling reality is that many of us who attempt to rationalize this impunity and vilify those endeavoring to expose it are in dire need of functional public health facilities and schools, unlike the privileged few we defend, who can seek treatment abroad.”
Denmark Adios echoed these sentiments, stating, “I align myself with the demand for the resignation of Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among. It is our duty as Ugandan citizens to voice this demand, particularly the younger generation who bear the brunt of these injustices. I implore you all to join this cause; Anita Among must resign!”
Amon Rubareema, the Secretary for Works of the FDC National Executive Committee, emphasized the dire state of affairs, saying, “In a nation where roads are in critical condition, healthcare systems are in shambles, and the Parliament spends 2.6 billion shillings per day, with the President and his wife consuming 2.1 billion shillings daily, silence amounts to complicity”.
Rubareema added “This is a resounding call to all Ugandans to defend our constitution, or else we perish silently, complicit in our own demise. We have a duty to fight for the liberation of our motherland.”
UK sanction
On April 30, a year after Speaker Among presided over parliament to pass the Anti-Homosexuality Act, the UK dropped sanctions on her head. “It is the first time the UK government has used the Global Anti-Corruption Sanctions regime on individuals involved in corruption in Uganda,” a statement from the UK. said.
UK Deputy Foreign Secretary, Andrew Mitchell announced the sanctions on the Speaker, and two former ministers facing corruption cases. The ministers are Mary Goretti Kitutu and Agnes Nandutu who allegedly stole thousands of iron sheets used for roofing and infrastructure from a Ugandan government-funded project aimed at housing some of the most vulnerable communities in the region, providing them to prominent politicians and their families instead.
Sanctions are purposefully put to cause financial difficulties to the target individual. They do not only deny individuals entry into the sanctioning country. As in Speaker Among’s case, they often allow for seizure of any of the sanctioned person’s assets held in the country. They also prevent the sanctioned person from entering into transactions with businesses in the country, including banks.
Additionally, many businesses outside of the sanctioning country with subsidiaries in that country start to treat the sanctioned persons with increased scrutiny and suspicion. Many reject transacting with them to avoid damaging relations with the sanctioning country as they may also be accused of violating sanctions.
When America imposed sanctions against Gen. Kale Kayihura in 2019, his immediate family members were sanctioned and designated. In Speaker Anita Among’s case, the scope of sanction could suck in her husband, Budiope East MP Moses Magogo who is also a high flier as president of the Federation of Football Association (FUFA Uganda).
The UK statement said the sanctions entail a travel ban to the UK and an asset freeze and pretty much any transaction that has its origins in the country or affiliation to a UK based financial service/service provider such as an airline, a hotel or even an online retailer.
Mitchell said “The actions of these individuals, in taking aid from those who need it most, and keeping the proceeds, is corruption at its worst and has no place in society. The Ugandan courts are rightly taking action to crack down on those politicians who seek to line their own pockets at their constituents’ expense.
He added, “Today the UK is sending a clear message to those who think benefiting at the expense of others is acceptable. Corruption has consequences and you will be held responsible.”
The UK sanction were announced just days to the Second African Inter-Parliamentary Conference on family, values, and Sovereignty that was held on the shores of Lake Victoria in Entebbe on May 02.
The conference widely viewed as an avenue for African legislators to chart ways of fighting against homosexuality was under the theme “Reaffirming our family and cultural values”. It should have been an opportunity for Speaker Among to shine but she delegated.
Still, in her written speech that was read, she remained hawkish.
“Even when the rest of the world was against us. This is because we are a Godly nation that respects the sanctity of marriage ordained between a man and woman for the intended purpose of procreation and companionship,” she wrote.
“These Europeans should not take advantage of our poverty to exploit and colonise us again. We should not take their sugar-coated grants. If they threaten our independence and erode our cultural norms,” said Among.
