MPs Must Rise Above a Few Dirty Silver Coins

1 July 2011

editorial

The issue of national interest has for long eluded our MPs. Now, there is a window of opportunity for the 9th Parliament to redeem the image of our legislators as worth more than only a few dirty silver coins.

The words of counsel by eminent professors, and judges, including by Prof Patrick Lumumba, Kenya’s anti-corruption czar, must not go in vain. The singular plea to the legislators during the induction was that MPs as bonded people’s representatives put country ahead of personal interests in order to move Uganda forward. These commanded MPs adopt non-parochial stance, rise above narrow party loyalties and defend national public good. We challenge MPs of the 9th Parliament to take up the challenge and measure up to the calls. Of critical concern was cited the need to check the sweeping power of the presidency, especially in pushing unnecessary amendments to the Constitution – the supreme legislation of the land.

We hope the ignoble ayes for lifting of presidential term-limits, oiled by Shs5 million, will be redeemed by the quest to have the term limits restored by the 9th Parliament. We also hope instances of questionable largesse such as the Shs20 million to MPs whose term had expired for non-existent Naads supervision won’t plague the 9th Parliament.

It is encouraging to note MPs of the 9th Parliament have kicked off work in earnest. The MPs have, across partisan lines, for a start, exhibited remarkable character by questioning the use of taxpayers’ money. It is commendable that voices of reasonableness are beginning to be heard across the divide on critical issues of public good.

We implore the MPs to re-establish the trust the electorate have placed in their execution of representative, legislative and oversight roles. Let MPs of the 9th Parliament bring in fresh air and rise above mere politicking but emphasise equitable social service provisions, human resource and infrastructure development of Uganda.

Our MPs must be able to recognise certain non-tradable inalienable human rights, including rights to a fair hearing, freedom from torture and other rights enshrined in the Constitution and elsewhere.

We must throw away insular attitude towards politics and not legislate for narrow party interests but for national good.

AllAfrica – All the Time