Nebanda’s ghost fighting a losing battle

With respect. For the record, this week’s column is not in any way intended to ridicule Cerinah Nebanda’s ghost, not even the feelings of the people of Butaleja District whose “lovely flower” was nipped in the bud. It’s about a daring ghost fighting alongside the outspoken MPs in trying to salvage the glory of an institution, full of chameleons.

The late Nebanda died last month under suspicious circumstances. She died at the age of 24, inking her name in our history books as the youngest legislator to die in office. The government’s disputed autopsy and toxicology report linked her death to narcotic drugs. This kind of inference riled Nebanda’s family, Speaker Rebecca Kadaga and various MPs who insist that the death of their colleague hides a much sinister reality.

In all this drama, the blocking of an independent post-mortem into the cause of Nebanda’s death and the arrest of some MPs over their comments on the death of their colleague appear to have inflamed the already fluid situation. The extent of a bungled crisis is the public spat between the Executive and Parliament and now the disagreement between the President and the Speaker.

The Onzivua saga
In the ambiguities of narcotic drugs, the allegations that Dr Sylvester Onzivua, a pathologist hired by Parliament, connived with some MPs to steal body samples, the arrest of Nebanda’s boyfriends - Adam Musa Musuba and Adam Suleiman Kalungi, the President’s pejorative remarks, denigrating as “idiots” and “fools” the people accusing his government of killing Nebanda, the battle over House recall for a special sitting and the latest is that Nebanda’s ghost wants to go to Kyankwanzi for the ruling party retreat next week.

In the unfolding drama, we will get time and deal with Kyankwanzi politics, but let’s hope this time the outspoken NRM MPs don’t walk out on their leader as they did last year when he attempted to malign the institution of Parliament in the infamous oil debate.

Unfortunately, even after Parliament passed a key resolution to halt the signing of all the new oil contracts until the favourable laws were put in place, the President went ahead and authorised Tullow’s $2.9 billion farm-out deal with Cnooc and Total. In what looks like a slap in Kadaga’s face, the President even “swaggers” in front of TV cameras, telling Ugandans how he gave Parliament a bloody nose.

The pinnacle of what has now become the “Nebandagate” scandal is the collection of signatures by a group of lawmakers that wants Parliament recalled from recess to discuss the drama over Nebanda’s death. There are other reasons why MPs want Parliament recalled but the utmost of all is the dire need to defend the independence of Parliament from the President’s attacks.

But let’s face the hard facts. Appearing to defend the hegemony of an institution that has lost credibility puzzles those who know the hypocrisy of our MPs.

The special sitting of the House would make sense if indeed the MPs, particularly those from the NRM party, who signed the petition to recall the House were serious. It’s pointless for the “chameleons” to talk about the independence of Parliament.

Ugandans, from the very beginning, wanted a biting Parliament. It’s the same reason why many applauded Ms Kadaga’s leadership with delight and optimism. But the politics in the NRM Caucus, bordering on the politics of numbers in a confused multiparty system and the inconsistency of some opposition and independent members in the House, is the same reason why Parliament has lost its credibility.

Need for independence

Freedom from Executive domination appears important in how elected politicians think about the roles of “professional parliamentarians”. Ours is a funny system where MPs eat their words with impunity. They don’t care about the public interest and they rarely pursue a matter to its reasonable conclusion. During the infamous 2012/13 budget standoff, Ugandans thought Parliament would assert its authority and fix a sick healthcare system in the country. They made a lot of noise on Shs260 billion needed for the health sector only to succumb to government pressure, leaving Ugandans in the cold.

In trying to understand the goings-on in a puzzling contest between the Executive and Parliament, it’s easy for us to lose sight of the best way to tell the story. And if we lose sight of it, we will certainly never be able to find it. Therefore, an independent Parliament should be brave enough to tell the King that he is naked. The challenge here is that those who signed the petition could be many, but I am sure after Kyankwanzi, the story will be different. Just watch this space.

Even if a special sitting is held today, I doubt whether such a sitting will be able to address the question of independence of Parliament. But for avoidance of doubt, the MPs must look in a clean mirror and immediately act on what is making them ridiculous in the eyes of others. Or else, the Nebanda ghost will never rest in peace!

I salute those who stood up in defence of the independence of Parliament. You have no apologies to make.

Defending the Constitution

It’s your duty to, as people’s representatives, uphold the doctrine of separation of powers as enshrined in our Constitution. If you choose to hoodwink Ugandans as you have always done, Nebanda’s ghost will never leave you alone. I am aware of the politics in this matter but it will be unfortunate if the Speaker recalls the House only for members to engage in tittle-tattle.

If the lawmakers behind the recall petition raise the required 125 signatures needed to recall the House, the special sitting should provide an opportunity for members to review their performance on matters of public interest.

If the NRM Caucus is the reason why Parliament has lost its teeth, then, those behind the petition should know that restoring Parliament in its real sense will take many attempts and a surprising solution similar to a group of concerned mice who proposed a bell to quell the threat of a marauding cat. The plan was applauded by the “council”, until one of them asked who will bell the cat.

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Frowns: Jacob Oulanyah
The Deputy Speaker, Mr Speaker Jacob Oulanyah, takes the frowns this week. Sources who attended a closed-door meeting at President Museveni’s upcountry home in Rwakitura quoted Mr Oulanyah swearing that he will look for any excuse in the world not to chair the special siting of the House. What if the members raise the required signatures and something happens to Ms Kadaga, God forbid, who would chair such a session? Mr Oulanyah also disowned the Speaker‘s decision on the involvement of Dr Sylvester Onzivua. Although Mr Oulanyah was given a letter hiring the pathologist, he denied this in the press. Frowns for you Bwana Oulanyah.

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Flowers: President Museveni
In his end of year message to the nation on Sunday, the President said there was need to revisit the earlier strategy of Abstinence, Being faithful and Condom use (ABC) if the current trend of HIV/Aids is to be reversed. For leading the campaign to combat HIV/Aids, the President takes the flowers. The President said Ugandans should return to morality and sexual discipline if HIV/Aids is to be fought effectively, adding that HIV/Aids is a moral problem that should be treated as such. Flowers for you Bwana President.

ymugerwa@ug.nationmedia.com