It’s a miracle to be alive, says Speaker Kadaga

JINJA. The Speaker of Parliament, Ms Rebecca Kadaga, has for the first time spoken out on her health since she returned from Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya, where she had been hospitalised for weeks.

Speaking during her thanksgiving prayers at Bugembe Cathedral in Jinja on Sunday, Ms Kadaga said it was “almost miraculous” that she survived following a sudden, dramatic rise in her blood pressure.

The Speaker also said she was following the alleged misuse of money for Isimba dam bridge and a road by mafias through law firms she said are “specialised in fraud and fictitious laws”.
She did not name the law firm nor individuals alleged to have masterminded the scam.

Ms Kadaga noted that she is back with renewed energy, commitment and passion and thanked her constituents and friends for their unwavering support and prayers during the time she was hospitalised.

“I didn’t know I have touched so many lives. God listened to your prayers and remembered the work and sacrifices I do for his people and by his grace and healing hands, I am back with renewed energy and assignment,” she said.

Her grievances
She then lashed out at legislators, especially those from Busoga Sub-region, who fear to speak out for the people who elected them and choose to remain “cowards” whenever unpopular issues arise.

She said she is not happy with some of the legislators who betrayed their voters’ interests by acting “mafia-like” before rallying them to take a stand on the sugar zoning policy.

The new Sugar Bill, which Parliament passed but President Museveni declined to sign unless zoning is provided to protect traditional large scale producers, has polarised lawmakers.

In a meeting with the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) Caucus members, ahead of the second decision by the House on the legislation last week, President Museveni stayed any further debate on the divisive issue, pending more consultations.

Bishop Paul Naimanhye of Busoga Diocese, who led his three colleagues; Bishop emeritus Michael Kyomya, Bishop Patrick Wakula and Mr Sam Egesa of Central Busoga and Bukedi dioceses, respectively, said the sugar zoning issue should be kept off politics.

“The truth will always set you free. We love Mr Museveni and the best we can do is to tell him the truth about sugarcane that will endear him to his voters. Sugarcane is the only economic activity [in Busoga] after coffee growing collapsed,” Bishop Naimanhye said.
He added that deforestation cannot be blamed on sugarcane because the growers can be told to plant trees around the plantation.

The prelate also argued that the vehicles, which Mr Museveni donated to the clergy and religious leaders, are not meant to gag, but to facilitate them to reach out to the people, and address the issues firsthand and later feedback.

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