ANT Raises Alarm Over Parliament's Shift to Business Hub, Urges Immediate Audit

The Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) has sounded the alarm regarding the shifting nature of Uganda's Parliament, expressing apprehensions about its growing resemblance to a commercial center. ANT has taken a firm stance, advocating for a reduction in Parliament's powers and insisting on a thorough audit to address mounting concerns.

In recent times, there has been a discernible trend towards the commercialization of Parliament, with the premises increasingly being utilized for business activities rather than solely fulfilling its legislative duties. ANT views this transformation with considerable unease, fearing that it could compromise the institution's integrity and effectiveness in serving the public interest.

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Leaders of the Alliance for National Transformation have also called for a value-for-money audit of Uganda's parliament. The party says they could explore the option of dragging the government to court. They say that, in the meantime, they expect the government institutions responsible for ensuring accountability for public resources to query the questionable expenditure at parliament.

Winnie Kiiza, the former Leader of the Opposition, expressed appreciation for the organizers of an online exhibition that exposed corruption and mismanagement within parliament.
"When it is the President who appoints every officer into a particular office of government, it is also problematic. This merging of all institutions of government gives them too much power, and this power is not easy to control," stated Kiiza while speaking to the media in Kampala.

She further added, "The entrenchment of corruption in Museveni's government must stop, and we can only do this by trimming the powers of those in authority, which can only be achieved through constitutional reforms."
Kiiza further emphasized concerns regarding the absence of independence of the Speaker of Parliament, remarking, "While the constitution mandates the Speaker of Parliament to be impartial, this independence remains elusive as the Speaker maintains allegiance to a particular political party.

She conveyed her disappointment at the erosion of governance institutions

"What bothers us as people is the impunity with which government officers operate. Institutions of governance have deteriorated to the extent that whoever assumes office becomes the institution in that office," she said.
Gerald Karuhanga, the spokesperson for the ANT, affirmed the party's commitment to working with all Ugandans to create a more transparent, accountable, and inclusive Uganda.