Matembe Blasts Government For Fighting Speaker

Miria Matembe said that Uganda is not ruled by the European Union

Miria Matembe, the former ethics and integrity minister has accused government of attempting to undermine Rebecca Kadaga, the speaker of parliament for asserting and restoring the powers of  the legislature.

Miria Matembe, the former ethics and integrity minister has accused government of attempting to undermine Rebecca Kadaga, the speaker of parliament
Miria Matembe, the former ethics and integrity minister has accused government of attempting to undermine Rebecca Kadaga, the speaker of parliament

She claims that the President Yoweri Museveni led government doesn’t want any other institutions of government to function. Matembe’s observations come a few days after business grounded to a halt in parliament due to an unexplained absence of the executive from the house.

Last week, Rebecca Kadaga, the speaker of parliament was forced to adjourn the house for some hours after none of the cabinet ministers showed up.

Matembe believes this is being done to undermine the speaker for asserting the powers of parliament. She however, warns that the decision by the executive to undermine key government institutions like parliament is in breach of the law. Matembe wonders why Amama Mbabazi, the prime minister and leader of government business in parliament would feel offended that the speaker speaks to the opposition.

She notes that Mbabazi is a distinguished lawyer who knows that multi-party politics is part of democracy. Matembe reminds government of the fact that as the head of parliament the speaker doesn’t get advice from government.

Matembe also questions why ministers who were selected from parliament after being elected by Ugandans would attempt to undermine parliament by fighting Kadaga who is struggling to assert the authority of Ugandans. She urges Ugandans to rise and oppose government action against parliament.

Justine Lumumba, the Government Chief Whip and her deputy David Bahati have not yet commented as they could neither pick nor return calls from our reporter.

Fredrick Ruhindi, the Deputy Attorney General has declined to comment on the allegations by Matembe saying he will only react once the story is out in the media. He also declines to disclose why ministers shunned parliamentary sittings last week saying he was out of the country adding that, he has not attended any cabinet meetings to hear out the ministers.

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