By Hannah Marion Namukasa
Speaker has this afternoon dismissed allegations that all top government officials are away leaving no one in charge. She also refuted allegation that she was out of the Country.
She made the remarks during the plenary sitting this afternoon, expressing displeasure by the remarks made on the floor by Iganga Municipality MP Mr Peter Mugema alias Panadol who told Parliament that Speaker is now in charge of the country since the President, the Vice President and the prime Minister are away.
In his remarks that triggered a bitter response from the Speaker, Hon Mugema said,’’ I also want to thank you for the good work you have done. From my observation now of the President is away in Russia, the Vice President is in Tanzania so now you are acting as Number One in Uganda.”
Speaker Among responded that, ‘’ I am not interested in becoming Head of State,’’ insisting that she simply serves as the Speaker of Parliament whose mandate is largely at Parliament. She therefore directed that Mr Mugema alias Panadol to withdraw his statement.
In reaction, Mr Mugema apologized and withdrew the statement.
In an immediate follow-up Speaker advised that all persons including legislators to always respect various positions and offices held by leaders as this serves to sustain peace and stability in the country.
“We need to respect each other person’s position and that is how some of us were brought up,” Speaker Among said.
