120 Parliamentarians sworn in

Parliament was a beehive of activity yesterday as new MPs began taking their oath of office, ahead of the official opening of the second multiparty Parliament on Thursday.

At least 123 ‘fresh’ MPs were sworn-in including Lubaga North MP Singh Katongole Marwaha whose election was shrouded in controversies. While Mr Marwaha was supposed to be sworn-in today, authorities in Parliament said Mr Singh had requested to take his oath ahead of time.

While Mr Singh said he was going to travel, there was speculation that he could have been favoured for fear of an impending court injunction to block his swearing- in because of the tumult surrounding the vote-recount that gave him the ‘victory’.

The lawmakers swore in the name of the Almighty God to give faithful service to Parliament, support and uphold the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda as by law established.

As their supporters chanted their names to the podium together with their immediate families, save for one man (Rubanda West MP Henry Banyenzaki) who appeared alone, many made the ceremony colourful with dance, pomp and color, even as it threatened to drizzle.

Errors in oath
But it was not all about precision as several MPs messed up the oath. Many changed the flow of words while others introduced new concepts to the oath.

They were told what to say word-for-word but they failed to say it right.
Ms Lucy Ajok, the new Apac Woman MP said: “….so God help me” instead of “so help me God.”

Others who muddled the oath of allegiance but went away with it included the national female youth MP, Ms Monica Amoding, who said: …. as established by law” as opposed to “…as by law established”.

Even after swearing in, Mukono Municipality MP Betty Nambooze was still panicking following her introduction of the word ‘Buganda’ in the binding oath of office. At one point, in the middle of the oath some MPs paused abruptly. The parliamentary staff who were administering the oath on behalf of the Clerk to Parliament kept reminding MPs to stick to the bona fide words in the mandatory oath.

“You don’t need to import words in the oath as such a move would invalidate the whole process,” one of the Clerks only known as Mr Mukaga kept saying.

Some of the key figures sworn-in yesterday include the Deputy Speaker, Ms Rebecca Kadaga, who is competing for the Speaker job, the Vice President Prof Gilbert Bukenya, former Security Minister Amama Mbabazi, Army Commander Maj. Gen. Aronda Nyakayirima, former Chief Whip Daudi Migereko, the former minister for Northern Uganda, Ms Betty Bigombe, and the former first deputy Prime Minister, Rt. Gen. Moses Ali, among others.

At least 123 MPs will today take their oath and the remaining 149 members will be sworn-in on Wednesday to conclude the three-day exercise presided over by the Clerk to Parliament, Mr. Aeneas Tandekwire.

Asked if he would want to return as the Vice President of the country, Prof Bukenya said he has never asked for that job but the appointing authority found him a capable assistant because of his traits.

“He knows I am a hard worker, I am not a back stabber and I have my total allegiance to the NRM party. That is why he chooses me and Parliament approves,” he said. “But even if I don’t return, I can work for the people while on the back bench.”

Explaining why he came alone, even as they had been given a leverage of bringing with them at least five of their supporters, Mr Banyenzaki said: “I don’t give preferential treatment to anyone in my constituency. I was voted by all of them, so whom can I choose and whom can I leave?” Mr Banyenzaki asked.

The new MPs promised to fight corruption in the government, improve service delivery and foster unity, democracy and rule of law in a multi-party political setting.