Why the latest move against Parliamentary Commissioners is doomed to fail

Op-Ed: In a move that reeks of desperation, at least five Members of Parliament have launched a motion to impeach the four commissioners of Parliament who allegedly shared Shs1.7 billion taxpayers’ money as’service awards’.

The four commissioners targeted in the censure motion are Mathias Mpuuga (MP Nyendo-MMukungwe), Esther Afoyochan (Zombo Woman MP), Solomon Silwanyi (Bukooli Central MP), and Prossy Mbabazi Akampurira (Rubanda Woman MP).

However, this attempt is nothing more than a futile exercise in futility, destined to fail like its predecessors. The grounds for impeachment are flimsy at best, amounting to little more than a witch hunt.

The Commissioners have been targeted for their steadfast commitment to upholding the integrity of Parliament and their refusal to bow down to external pressures. In a bizarre twist, their dedication to duty is being spun as a betrayal, a clear indication of the warped logic driving this impeachment push.

Moreover, the timing of this move is suspect, coming as it does on the heels of Speaker Among’s triumphant declaration as “Champion of the People.” The UK government’s failed sanctions and Bobi Wine’s unexpected show of support have left the anti-Parliament camp reeling, and this impeachment attempt is a desperate attempt to regain lost ground.

It is worth noting that the four commissioners came into the public spotlight at the start of this year following reports that they sat and shared Shs1.7 billion as a service award.

The former Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Mpuuga, received Shs500 million, while the other three commissioners from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) received Shs400 million each.

However, the numbers simply aren’t on their side. The Parliamentary Commissioners enjoy broad support within the House, and any impeachment bid will be met with fierce resistance. The very fact that this move is being made public suggests a lack of confidence in the process, a tacit admission that the necessary votes won’t be forthcoming.

Furthermore, this move reeks of hypocrisy. Those driving the impeachment agenda have themselves been accused of far more egregious offenses, yet they remain silent on their own transgressions. The stench of double standards hangs heavy over this entire affair.

It is important to note that Article 87A of the Constitution establishes the Parliamentary Commission, and the Parliament of Uganda derives its privilege powers from Article 97 of the Constitution. Lawmakers have approved the four backbench commissioners representing the ruling party and the opposition in the 11th Parliament.

In conclusion, the bid to impeach the Parliamentary Commissioners is a doomed endeavor, born of desperation and fueled by a toxic mix of spite and arrogance.

It will fail spectacularly, a testament to the resilience of Parliament and the unyielding commitment of its members to upholding the integrity of the institution.

Speaker Among, still widely admired by a large majority of MPs, will not allow naysayers to crumble the institution she leads.

Moreover, President Museveni will not prefer people working under foreign influence to tear apart his government by sinking Parliament, a key arm of government. The impeachment bid will be stillborn, a victim of its own hubris and lack of popular support.

The author is David Oduut, a media practitioner and resident of Bukedea district.

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