The ruling National Resistance Movement leader in Kampala district Capt. Francis Babu has decried the high levels of nepotism and corruption in the Pearl of Africa.
Babu made these comments following Deputy Speaker’s comment against continuous absenteeism by some cabinet Ministers during plenary.
Babu highlighted that some leaders are overwhelmed by some responsibilities and by virtual of being lawmakers at the sometime in cabinet makes it difficult for them to deliver something that has forced some to bring their unskilled relatives to back them up.
He adds that Ministers aren’t very popular with their constituencies, that why when they go back during elections they loose.
“we have brilliant Ugandans who write excellent proposal but they never implement them. There’s a little bit of nepotism and corruption, an endemic that has entered into this implementation.” Babu said.
On Tuesday afaternoon, Deputy Speaker, Jacob Oulanyah cautioned Cabinet Ministers against skipping House business, warning that Parliament will give prominence to Private Members’ business instead.
This was after Chief Opposition Whip Ibrahim Ssemujju sought the Speaker’s guidance after Government Chief Whip Ruth Nankabirwa responded to all issues specific to sector Ministers.
In response, Oulanyah said the Ministers’ absence frustrates House business which he said is unacceptable.
“This House needs Ministers to transact its business; we know the sectors that always show up in these matters of national importance. Is it difficult to learn the trend and deploy?” said Oulanyah.
At the commencement of every plenary sitting, MPs raise urgent matters requiring response from Ministers, but in the recent past, like was the case today, Ministers responsible were unavailable.
This saw Nankabirwa respond to all issues raised to the annoyance of Members.
Recently, Oulanyah promised to name and shame Ministers who are in the habit of absconding from plenary work, with Nankabirwa urging the Speaker to “publish the list because it will ease my work”.
