Lawmakers conducting an investigation into the alleged diversion of relief items intended for vulnerable individuals in the Karamoja Sub-region are expressing their dissatisfaction with Speaker Anita Among’s failure to meet with them to discuss her involvement in the iron sheets scandal.
Despite being listed as a beneficiary of the iron sheets, Ms. Among has not ignored the Committee proceedings and has provided written responses. However, Committee members are still requesting a face-to-face meeting with her.
Committee Chairperson, Ms. Jessica Ababiku, stated that the planned meeting with the Speaker was cancelled at the last minute due to her schedule being rearranged to accommodate a discussion with an international guest.
Ms. Ababiku explained that they informed the Speaker of their intention to meet with her and that she had agreed to meet them on Tuesday, but received a guest from outside Uganda.
Ms. Ababiku supported the Speaker’s decision to meet the guest after acknowledging that the individual was actually in her office. The Committee received a written submission from the Speaker in lieu of a personal meeting, but the contents of the documents were not disclosed to the media.
In a previous statement made while presiding over the House, Ms. Among denied any wrongdoing and acknowledged that relief items meant for vulnerable individuals in the northeastern region of the country ended up in her constituency, Bukedea District, due to a misunderstanding.
She also stated that she purchased 500 iron sheets and sent them back to the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) to avoid bringing shame to the House. The OPM oversees affirmative action for the distribution of relief items in the country.
The Parliament’s Director of Communication and Public Affairs, Mr. Chris Obore, stated that the Speaker’s statements on the floor of Parliament are credible enough to be used without a personal interface.
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