In the seedy underbelly of Uganda’s political cesspool, Anita Among reigns supreme as the undisputed queen of corruption and moral decay. Her tenure as Speaker of Parliament has been nothing short of a grotesque circus, replete with scandal, avarice, and a flagrant contempt for democratic principles. Yesterday’s parliamentary session, which resumed after a three-week break, showcased her unrepentant corruption and disdain for the rule of law. The session’s main event—the confirmation of Chairpersons and Vice Chairpersons for 13 committees, all puppets of Museveni’s NRM—was merely a formal nod in her sordid game of political patronage.
The absurdity reached new heights with the spectacle surrounding the Anti-corruption march. Kampala was transformed into a fortified battleground, thanks to an excessive military deployment aimed at quashing peaceful protesters wielding nothing but placards chanting “Stop Corruption” and “Anita must Resign.” It’s a classic case of overkill, exposing not only the regime’s paranoia but also Among’s readiness to deploy brute force to silence dissent.
Among’s hypocrisy was a masterclass in sleaze. She obstructed anti-corruption protesters from entering parliament while allowing pro-regime demonstrators to waltz in with police escorts. This grotesque favoritism and double standard laid bare the rotten core of parliamentary leadership. Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa’s feigned ignorance was an insult to everyone’s intelligence, but of course, it fit perfectly with the regime’s script.
The farce continued with Among’s sudden decision to cancel all parliamentary sessions for the week. This unannounced suspension of business stinks of her classic dodge-and-weave strategy. Her comments in Lwengo, suggesting it’s better to have a leader who steals taxpayer money as long as it’s distributed among voters, were met with rightful outrage. This shameless statement wasn’t just an admission of her own moral bankruptcy; it was a flagrant insult to the very notion of ethical governance.
In a twist straight out of a bad soap opera, the Clerk to Parliament issued a notice for a special sitting to pay tribute to Simon Peter Aleper, a former MP who recently met an untimely end in an accident. This ostensibly heartfelt tribute is more likely a desperate ploy by Among to deflect attention from her mounting scandals. The timing is far too convenient to be anything but a clumsy attempt to shift the spotlight away from her corruption and incompetence.
The ongoing imprisonment of five legislators—Cissy Namujju, Yusuf Mutembuli, Paul Akamba, Micheal Mawanda, and Ignatius Mudimi Wamakuyu—over corruption charges further underscores the systemic rot in Uganda’s political system. Their incarceration, while they await bail, stands as a grim testament to the corruption that Anita Among embodies. Her leadership has been a relentless pursuit of personal gain at the expense of the public good.
Anita Among epitomizes the very essence of moral bankruptcy. She is a master manipulator, expertly using her position to feather her own nest while posing as a public servant. Her leadership is a toxic blend of authoritarianism and deceit, where transparency and accountability are foreign concepts. Under her reign, parliament has devolved into a den of thieves, a breeding ground for corruption where unethical behavior is not merely tolerated but actively encouraged.
Among’s shamelessness is boundless. Her deliberate evasion of addressing anti-corruption protests, coupled with her blatant favoritism towards regime supporters, reveals a dangerous and unprecedented double standard. As Proverbs 17:23 (NIV) puts it, “The wicked accept bribes in secret to pervert the course of justice.” Anita Among’s tenure is a living testament to this verse, turning parliament into a puppet theatre where every legislative action is choreographed to serve the interests of corruption and impunity.
The Ugandan people deserve far better than this disgraceful farce. The current political theatre, starring Anita Among as its lead performer, is a tragicomic spectacle of corruption and deceit. The true tragedy is that it’s no longer even a surprise.
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