Published on 22/12/2024
During year-end prayers at Parliament on December 19, 2024, Speaker Anita Among sought forgiveness from Ugandans for the Legislature’s failings, both intentional and inadvertent.
Acknowledging the challenges, Among pledged to reform the institution, vowing to leave it stronger for future generations. Among expressed a deep commitment to mentoring her deputy, Thomas Tayebwa, to ensure a seamless leadership transition in the 13th Parliament. Her heartfelt address reflected humility, determination, and a vision for lasting change.
“This is the person [Tayebwa] I am mentoring for the 13th Parliament. If there is anything we as leaders, or our predecessors, have done knowingly or unknowingly to harm this institution, we repent on its behalf,” Among said. “This is the most united Parliament, where the Speaker and Deputy Speaker work together. That is something to celebrate.”
Speaker Among’s apology comes amid heightened public scrutiny of Parliament over allegations of corruption, nepotism, and wasteful expenditure. These issues have sparked peaceful protests led by young activists, many of whom were met with police brutality and charged under archaic colonial-era laws, including being “idle and disorderly.”
The Speaker had previously dismissed calls to resign, attributing the protests to foreign agents allegedly promoting homosexuality in retaliation for Parliament passing the Anti-Homosexuality Act, 2023. This raises questions about whether her apology is aimed at addressing these grievances or reflecting on broader legislative controversies.
“We know that cleansing an institution is not a one-day process,” Among stated. “As legislators, our work is complex, and the laws we pass may not always sit well with everyone. We ask for forgiveness from those we may have hurt, as this will guide us to work in harmony and fulfill our duties.”
During the thanksgiving event, former Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Henry Luke Orombi, commended the 11th Parliament for passing the Anti-Homosexuality Act. He described homosexuality as “dehumanizing” and against family values, despite historical evidence suggesting its existence in pre-colonial African societies.
“It [homosexuality] dehumanizes us, making us less than animals,” Orombi stated. “How do they [homosexuals] fulfill God’s command to multiply and fill the earth if they indulge in such practices?”
The former Archbishop also decried Uganda’s declining moral standards, rampant sexual violence, and road carnage, which he attributed to a lack of respect for human life and disobedience to God.
“During the COVID-19 lockdowns, incest and teenage pregnancies skyrocketed. Our moral standards have eroded, and we no longer respect each other,” Orombi lamented.
He also criticized societal corruption, describing it as outright theft hidden behind diplomatic terms. “Corruption is robbery. People steal without shame and misuse others, especially women seeking employment. God has seen this, and He is disappointed,” Orombi added.
Orombi urged Ugandans, especially leaders, to embrace repentance, unity, and dialogue to address the nation’s challenges. He warned against muzzling dissenting voices, cautioning that it could lead to explosive consequences.
“If we muzzle people, they will explode, and the results will not be good. Let us reason together and learn to tolerate one another. The time to talk to each other is now,” he said.
Speaker Among echoed these sentiments, pledging to uphold Uganda’s family values, biblical teachings, and good governance.
“We make laws for humanity, and we will continue to do so without fear or favor. We promise to leave this Parliament better than we found it,” Among concluded.
