The sideshows at MPs swearing-in
An MP is carried on the shoulders by his supporter after swearing in early this week. Photo Gillian Nantume
As MPs of the 10th House swore in early this week, most of the cameras were focused on the usual Bible or Quran in hand moments. But behind the scenes was a lot of jubilating and drama especially from entourages which had escorted the MPs.
On the last day the Members of Parliament were sworn-in on Wednesday, one would have expected the awe and excitement to have died down. But that was not the case. The National Theatre parking lot was a beehive of activity as different groups walked in, escorting their elected members.
So it was a bit surprising when the Acholi Cultural Foundation could not remember the name of the MP they had escorted. But then, they are a hired dance troupe, so I guess it can be confusing when you have many people making bookings.
Uncertainty looms
“I think we have escorted the youth MP for northern Uganda,” John Bosco Labeja said between mouthfuls of boiled cassava. At 11am, this boiled cassava is supposed to be brunch – a combination of breakfast and lunch.
“We are not going to escort the MP to swear-in now,” says another dancer, Janesio Kilama, adding, “Someone has just told us that we will instead entertain people at his party this evening.”
The foundation, formed in 1988, is registered in Namuwongo, Kampala. I was somewhat disappointed because I was expecting to find people who were fresh off the bus from Gulu.
A few metres away from the troupe, angry voices rise sporadically. Apparently, the group that escorted Godfrey Onzima of Aringa North, Yumbe District is growing impatient with his long interview with journalists.
And journalists, being the nosy people they are, are milking the MP for his worth. An aide, seeing the situation getting out of hand, tries to explain to the supporters the necessity of their elected member to be in the good books of the news ‘hawks’.
As soon as the interview is done, the supporters almost sweep Onzima off his feet in their hurry to get to Parliament.
With all these people squeezing into the parking lot, you would think that the traders are making a killing. But, all they did was moan about their losses.
“At least in 2011, I made money,” says Frank Kizito who was selling neck decorations in yellow, green and blue. He adds: “Today most of the MPs here are returning to the House, so they are stingy with their money. They do not have that excitement of being on the national stage.”
As we are still talking to him, two women approach him to buy the decorations which he sells between Shs5,000 and Shs10,000. After inspecting them and haggling, they walk away without buying.
Just another ceremony
“Customers from northern Uganda are the best. They do not mind about the money; they just pay. But the stingiest MPs I have encountered are those from FDC and DP. They do not even seem excited to be here. I think that is because Kampala is in their hands,” Kizito says.
The Opposition had a sweeping victory in Kampala in the 2016 general election, with all the divisions going to FDC and DP candidates.
He adds that Tuesday (the second day of the swearing-in) was his best day, because he sold decorations worth Shs500,000. You will find Kizito in any town in Uganda, as long as there is a high profile function there, be it a funeral, graduation, or wedding.
Amid heavy rain
By the time I reach the new parking lot at Parliament where the main ceremony is taking place, the clouds are getting darker. After minutes of heavy rain, the place floods. Those who wore light shoes and long gomesis have to elevate their feet.
But two events lighten up the gloom of the downpour. First, is the arrival of Fred Mukasa Mbidde and his sister-in-law, Veronica Nanyondo. Everyone wants to have a glimpse of her. She looks striking in her green gomesi, while he, in a black suit and rose-red tie looks elegant. They are immediately swarmed by journalists.
Second, is the arrival of Tabani Amin and his son, Tampo Amin Jegejege of Kibanda North constituency. While everyone silently acknowledges the presence of Taban, his demeanor discourages anyone from approaching him – only a few photographers are bold enough.
I wondered what was going through his mind as he sat in the front row, waiting for the rain to subside so that his son could take the oath. During Idi Amin’s regime as president, Parliament was almost a museum. For eight years, the House did not have a single sitting. It makes you feel proud of the strides we have made to get to where we are now.
Then of course, there is Ibrahim Ssemujju, the FDC spokesperson, and his light pink tie. A few hours ago, his party president, Col Dr Kizza Besigye, had had fresh treason charges read to him at the Nakawa Chief Magistrates Court, so you would expect the MP to go overboard with blue, in solidarity.
Well, his suit is blue, but the neck tie matches his wife’s pink hijab. There is something good about couples who complement each other even in their dress code. As I am still admiring them, a convoy of cars passes by with the drivers hooting like they are transporting a bridal entourage.
Theodore Ssekikubo, in spite of his woes with the Electoral Commission and his rival, must announce his presence. There were many who thought he would not take the oath, but then again, it is not over, until it is over. Who else can best fit that adage than Ssekikubo?
The limelight was taken off him when word began doing the rounds that President Museveni was going to attend the first sitting of the new Parliament on Thursday as they elect the new deputy speaker. Everyone is excited about this new phenomenon. The President has never attended Parliament’s first sitting, so everyone anticipated the outcome.
Dressing
The dress code of the MPs was a mixture of formal, traditional (gomesi) and party attire. The majority of male MPs stuck to suits while the females experimented with different accessories.
They seem to have put a lot of time for their looks though. For instance, Judith Babirye, the Buikwe District Woman MP, who was dressed in a bright yellow gomesi, said she had spent three hours preparing for the event after visiting the salon at 7am.
As much as most women donned gomesis, others preferred to stay simple such as Anna Adeke Ebaju, the National Female Youth MP, who decided to remain youthful in a simple knee length dress bearing black and peach colours.
