The Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Parliament, Joel Ssenyonyi, and a section of legislators have clashed with the Speaker, Anita Annet Among, after she blocked the debate on the alleged irregularities recently exposed during a social media campaign named “Parliament Exhibition.”

Tension erupted during the plenary session held on Friday, March 15, 2024, when the Speaker blocked the debate that was first raised by LoP Ssenyonyi, demanding an investigation into the alleged irregularities.

In his argument, LoP Ssenyonyi demanded that Parliament comprehensively present to Ugandans explanations regarding the gross mismanagement of finances and how staff are recruited to work in Parliament.

MP Theodore Ssekikubo of Lwemiyaga County in Ssembabule district wondered why Speaker Among never said anything about the irregularities in her opening remarks.

“This house has been engulfed in totally unprecedented practices. The credibility of the house is questionable. Can we have a clarification regarding allegations raised in parliament?” MP Ssekikubo argued.

He described it as a shame for Parliament to proceed with business when the allegations raised in the media are not clarified.

In her response, Speaker Among tasked LoP Ssenyonyi to present evidence about the allegations before they can be discussed in parliament.

“I will never give you an answer based on hearsay or rumors. I cannot answer to hearsay; to things you have cooked up on social media because I have said no to homosexuality,” Speaker Anita Among said.

She further warned the legislators that she would not run the affairs of Parliament based on rumors reported in the media.

There have been repeated attacks on Parliament from both anti-corruption cadres and Ugandans regarding the irregularities that exposed alleged financial mismanagement and the manner in which staff are recruited in parliament.