Published on 20/06/2024
The Leader of Opposition in Parliament Joel Ssenyonyi has protested Speaker Anita Among’s decision to conduct regional plenary sittings of the House across the country, criticizing her for acting unilaterally without consulting key parliamentary bodies or considering the financial burden on taxpayers.
“These sittings have significant financial implications. Transporting 529 MPs and Parliament staff to Gulu entails costs for transport, fuel, and per diem. I asked the Speaker when the Parliamentary Commission discussed this, as financial matters should be handled by the Commission, not an individual. I haven’t received a response to my letter,” Ssenyonyi stated.
On May 16, 2024, Speaker Among announced that Parliament would hold sittings in various regions, starting with Gulu. This prompted Ssenyonyi to write to the Speaker, raising concerns about the lack of input from Parliament’s top organs and the financial strain on taxpayers.
“We in the Opposition are asking how these decisions are being made. People may be excited to see all 529 MPs, but they want service delivery, not just our presence. The process is problematic. Did the Speaker alone decide, including the billions of shillings required?” Ssenyonyi questioned.
He criticized the Speaker for bypassing established institutions, urging her to ensure decisions are discussed by the Business Committee and the Parliamentary Commission. Ssenyonyi noted that the Commission last met in August 2023, and since becoming Leader of the Opposition in January 2024, he has not attended any Commission meetings.
“I encourage the Speaker to allow the systems to work and the institution to function. What is being hidden? I understand sub-committees are preparing, but as a leader, I haven’t received formal communication,” he remarked.
Ssenyonyi clarified that the Opposition’s call for Parliament to move closer to the people was about addressing their needs through budgets and laws, not physical meetings that would burden taxpayers.
“We meant Parliament should connect with the people and address their concerns, like poor roads and inadequate hospitals. That is what we meant,” Ssenyonyi, also the MP for Nakawa West constituency in Kampala explained.
Despite Ssenyonyi’s objections, Speaker Among reiterated during the State of the Nation Address that the regional plenary sittings would proceed, starting with the inaugural session in Gulu from August 29-30, 2024, at Kaunda Grounds, with President Museveni opening the session.
