John Baptist Nambeshe, the Chief Opposition Whip in the 11th Parliament, has asked the persons manning the Uganda Parliament Exhibition to avoid distorting facts and mud-slinging in the spirit of demanding accountability.

Nambeshe said that while it is good to demand accountability as a constitutional right, they should do so with facts, openness, and transparency.

Nambeshe took to his X handle on February 28, 2024, and called upon the exhibitors led by Jimmy Spire Ssentongo, Agather Atuhaire, Godwin Toko, and others to avoid distorting facts and seek proper context and understanding on matters pertaining to the rules and procedures of parliament, from Winnie Kizza, former Opposition Chief Whip, Leader of Opposition (LoP) Joel Ssenyonyi, and other former LOP’s.

Nambeshe clarified to the exhibitors that, under the Ugandan Constitution and the Rules and Procedure of Parliament, the chief opposition whip is not a member of the Parliamentary Commission and that any qualified Ugandan has a right to be employed by any public institution, including parliament.

“First of all, to set the record straight, it is the preserve of the parliamentary commission to appoint, promote, and exercise disciplinary control over persons holding public office,” Nambeshe said.

He further guided them on the practices in democracies world-wide, where bearers of political offices recommend personal secretaries, assistant secretaries, drivers, and bodyguards attached to their offices.

“These persons are treated as personal staff or political appointees of the office bearer, and their term is co-terminus with the tenure of the appointed person due to safety purposes and the sensitivity of the position that person is holding,” Nambeshe added.

He acknowledged that he is not the spokesperson for Parliament, but he was certain Parliament would study all the concerns raised and conclusively address them.

However, Spire Ssentongo acknowledged that there should be no mudslinging, as every Ugandan has a right to work in a public office where they qualify, but requested that Nambeshe clarify the issue of merit, process, and implications and explain the rampant nepotism and tribalism in public institutions.