The Leader of Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi has called out the double standards within Parliament, wondering why the young people peacefully protesting against corruption in Parliament were beaten and arrested, yet recently, residents protesting against Lwemiyaga County MP, Theodore Ssekikubo were calmly ushered into Parliament and received by Deputy Speaker
“Today, there are some young people, as we have been witnessing, who have been coming to Parliament in a similar fashion with placards. They have concerns about corruption in Parliament and they were coming in similar fashion, to come and raise their concerns. Many of them have been bundled up, many are in jail. And so, I thought, the same way you received those who were protesting apparently against one of our colleagues, you would receive them in a similar manner because they are saying they have concerns as citizens of this country,” said Ssenyonyi.
“There seems to be double standards within our institution called Parliament. Last week, there are some citizens that came to Parliament with placards to protest against one of our colleagues, Theodore Ssekikubo (Lwemiyaga County), they came the first day, they were ushered into Parliament with their placards, then they came the following day, they were still ushered in. You received them on behalf of the Speaker, you asked that a few of them come to meet you, and some of us were happy that this Parliament can be accessed decently by people who are saying they are peacefully protesting,” he added.
However, over 30 activists have been arrested by the police and other security agencies as they marched to Parliament in the anti-corruption walk in Kampala.
The protestors are calling for the resignation of the top leadership of Parliament and reduction of the legislators’ salaries and allowances.
Despite several warnings from security agencies and President Yoweri Museveni himself, the protestors are destined to fight against corruption, with some calling for the resignation of Speaker of Parliament Anitah Among who has been accused of corruption severally with even being sanctioned by European countries over stealing from the vulnerable.
However, Thomas Tayebwa, Deputy Speaker of Parliament has said that the institution of Parliament has not received any formal notification of anyone who wants to bring a petition regarding the issues they are talking about in public.
“I will not move from my chair, to start moving around looking for people, soliciting for petitions from the public, when we are a formal institution that has formal structures,” Tayebwa said.
He added that the address of Parliament is known and requested if there is anyone who wants to bring a petition to Parliament, let them write to the leadership of Parliament and shall be guided on how to bring the petition.
