Speaker of parliament Annet Anita Among, has scoffed at anti-corruption protesters, saying she will never to step down from her position.
Speaking at the thanksgiving function for Daudi Bangirana, father of deputy speaker Thomas Tayebwa, at Rwakitandara Playground in Bitereko sub county, Among criticized what she described as the demonization of parliament through negative politics.
She refuted claims of corruption within parliament, saying that members of parliament do not serve as accounting officers. Among suggested that the anti-corruption protests were targeting parliament due to its adherence to African family values and Ugandan traditions.
She argued that the protests stemmed from a failure to uphold these values, stating, “When you look at the Bible it says Adam was given to Eve and not Eve to Eve or Adam was not given to Adam so that’s why we are proud as parliament and when you see the demonstrations that are in town, they are demonstrating because they have failed and don’t want us to respect our values and as Ugandans.”
She also announced her intention to remain in office, noting she has another five-year term until she hands over the speakership to Tayebwa for the term 2031-2036. At the same event, President Museveni cautioned politicians against interfering with the work of civil servants, stressing that the fight against corruption should be left to technical experts rather than politicians.
He stated, “Civil servants you should not allow politicians to interfere with your work, you should be very strict, don’t allow anybody to mislead you, because it is you who will be accountable.”
The president’s comments were in response to accusations made by Mitooma district chairperson Benon Karyeija, who had criticized civil servants, including chief administrative officers, permanent secretaries, sub county chiefs, procurement officers, and criminal investigating officers, for alleged corruption and collusion with human resource officers in local government.
In his homily, Archbishop Lambert Beinomugisha of the Archdiocese of Mbarara urged leaders to display humility and unity as essential traits for community development. He also commended Tayebwa, for the reconstruction of the Shs St. Karoli Lwanga Kigarama Catholic Parish in Bitereko sub county for Shs 2.7 billion. The reconstruction was dedicated to his grandmother, Julita Kaijarubi Tirungyerwa, who raised him from the age of six and instilled strong religious values in him.
