Ugandan women MPs who have not debated in plenary

The fear of speaking in public or of trying to speak is known as glossophobia and people afflicted with such a condition are known as glossophobic. Since the Tenth Parliament commenced in May, we have had MPs who got up and running, taking to the floor with calm and composure and winning plaudits. Some Women MPs, however, just saunter into Parliament to gobble up some cookies, sign the registration book, enjoy the air-conditioned chambers and smile their way to the bank at the end of the month. Eagle Online gives frowns to a select group of Women MPs who suffer from glossophobia.

Gomba Woman MP Sylvia Nayebare

For someone who enjoyed a stint as news reporter at the Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) between 2010-2011, you would expect that Nayebare would be easy at the microphone; she should not struggle to express herself. But the 28-year old who has also worked as a receptionist at the Bugolobi-based Royal Suites Hotel gets a shiver down her spine at the sight of a microphone. Feted as one of the well-endowed women MPs, the glitzy Nayebare is infrequent at the House and is yet to make her maiden speech.

Buikwe Woman MP Judith Babirye

The gospel singer-turned politician is another surprise package on this Wall of Shame. For a lady used to performing to large animated audiences, she should have seamlessly morphed into the hustle and bustle of floor politics. But surprise surprise, Babirye is tormented by stage flight. She simply has failed to muster the confidence to speak on the floor. She can only chip in, clap and thump the chairs in approval after some MP has made a point.

Namayingo Woman MP Robina Hope Mukisa

One of the youngest MPs in the House, the 26 –year old Mukisa is understandably a fish out of water; she is in uncharted territory. After completing University in 2016, this is her first job. You would say she is struggling to balance the indulgences of youthfulness with the rough and tumble of House politics. She is forgiven for shuddering at the sight of septuagenarians like Gen Moses Ali (78) and Edward Kiwanuka Sekandi (74). Little wonder, she is yet to meaningfully contribute on the floor.

Lwengo Woman MP Cissy Namujju Dionizia

Remember the Woman MP who caused a storm in cyberspace after failing to answer kindergarten questions during a court session? Enter Cissy Namujju Dionizia. For an MP who could not hazard answers to questions as basic as the definition of a map, pollination and stuff like that, little wonder that she has not uttered a word on the floor. She was thrown out of Parliament by the High Court but the Court of Appeal exonerated her. We will keep on waiting for her maiden speech.

Arua Woman MP Maureen Osoru

She was recently elected to head a global youth movement but a stranger to Parliament can very easily mistake this 28-year old for anything but an MP. Petite, unassuming in style and meek, Osoru is a rare specie in the precincts of the House. Her sympathisers say she is still recovering from a nasty incident in July when she was kidnapped by gangsters in Yumbe and given a thorough thumping. Her folks in West Nile should keep their fingers crossed on when she takes to the floor.

Koboko Municipality Evelyn Anite

A State Minister for Finance in charge of Privatisation, Evelyn Anite is famously or rather infamously known for tabling a resolution that declared President Museveni the sole candidate for the 2016 National Resistance Movement (NRM) primaries. Ms Anite has been an uncommon figure at Parliament and just as the tenure of the Tenth Parliament was starting, it was clear to curious observers that she was bulging. Maybe, and just maybe, she is on maternity leave or something like that. Interestingly, she took time off her ‘busy’ maternity leave to involve herself in the process of selecting the board chairman of the Uganda Electricity Generation Company (UEGCL), favouring Engineer Proscovia Margaret Njuki against computer guru Frank Katusiime. In the process she outweighed her boss, Finance Minister Matia Kasaija, who had penned an earlier letter appointing Mr. Katusiime the board chairman.

Tororo  North County MP Annet Nyakecho

Nyakecho has endured all sorts of problems. A marriage gone bad, a court case hovering over her head, a tumultuous divorce case. Name it. And the struggles have taken such a toll on her. At Parliament, she is as rare as the teeth of a hen.

Nebbi Woman MP Jacqueline Aol Ramma

Such has been the insipid performance of this radio journalist-turned-MP that little is there to write home about her. Yet to say anything worth this digital space.