Da Dona
JF-Expert Member
- Dec 16, 2025
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- 548
Uganda’s 11th Parliament exits the political stage with a legacy heavily shaped by corruption allegations, controversial legislation, public protests and repeated clashes both inside and outside the House.
📸: Image Courtesy of Daily Monitor UG
Led first by the late Jacob Oulanyah and later by Speaker Anita Among, the Parliament faced persistent criticism over accountability, transparency and governance throughout its five-year term.
Among the biggest scandals was the Karamoja iron sheets saga, which implicated several senior government officials, ministers and legislators accused of diverting iron sheets meant for vulnerable communities in Karamoja. Those mentioned included Speaker Anita Among, Vice President Jessica Alupo, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, Rebecca Kadaga, Amos Lugoloobi and Agnes Nandutu.
The House also came under intense scrutiny during the now-famous #ParliamentExhibition campaign launched by activists and online campaigners in 2024. The digital campaign exposed alleged extravagant spending, questionable recruitment practices, controversial travel expenditures and the Shs1.7 billion “service award” shared among parliamentary commissioners and former Leader of Opposition Mathias Mpuuga.
The fallout from the service award deepened divisions within the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP), with party leaders demanding that Mpuuga refund the money and resign from the Parliamentary Commission position, something he rejected.
The 11th Parliament was equally marked by dramatic confrontations over controversial laws, including the Anti-Homosexuality Act, the Computer Misuse Amendment Act, the UPDF Amendment Act and the Protection of Sovereignty Bill. Critics accused Parliament of rushing legislation and suppressing dissent, while government defended the laws as necessary for national values and security.
Street protests also became a defining feature of the term. In July 2024, security forces violently dispersed youth-led demonstrations demanding the resignation of Speaker Anita Among and other parliamentary commissioners over corruption allegations. More than 100 protesters were reportedly arrested during the demonstrations.
Despite the controversies, government officials defended the outgoing Parliament, arguing it passed more than 130 laws and maintained legislative productivity throughout its tenure.
As Uganda ushers in the 12th Parliament, many observers say the outgoing House leaves behind a mixed legacy — one defined by high legislative activity but also overshadowed by scandals, accusations of excess, and growing public distrust in the institution.
Source: Daily Monitor UG
Led first by the late Jacob Oulanyah and later by Speaker Anita Among, the Parliament faced persistent criticism over accountability, transparency and governance throughout its five-year term.
Among the biggest scandals was the Karamoja iron sheets saga, which implicated several senior government officials, ministers and legislators accused of diverting iron sheets meant for vulnerable communities in Karamoja. Those mentioned included Speaker Anita Among, Vice President Jessica Alupo, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, Rebecca Kadaga, Amos Lugoloobi and Agnes Nandutu.
The House also came under intense scrutiny during the now-famous #ParliamentExhibition campaign launched by activists and online campaigners in 2024. The digital campaign exposed alleged extravagant spending, questionable recruitment practices, controversial travel expenditures and the Shs1.7 billion “service award” shared among parliamentary commissioners and former Leader of Opposition Mathias Mpuuga.
The fallout from the service award deepened divisions within the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP), with party leaders demanding that Mpuuga refund the money and resign from the Parliamentary Commission position, something he rejected.
The 11th Parliament was equally marked by dramatic confrontations over controversial laws, including the Anti-Homosexuality Act, the Computer Misuse Amendment Act, the UPDF Amendment Act and the Protection of Sovereignty Bill. Critics accused Parliament of rushing legislation and suppressing dissent, while government defended the laws as necessary for national values and security.
Street protests also became a defining feature of the term. In July 2024, security forces violently dispersed youth-led demonstrations demanding the resignation of Speaker Anita Among and other parliamentary commissioners over corruption allegations. More than 100 protesters were reportedly arrested during the demonstrations.
Despite the controversies, government officials defended the outgoing Parliament, arguing it passed more than 130 laws and maintained legislative productivity throughout its tenure.
As Uganda ushers in the 12th Parliament, many observers say the outgoing House leaves behind a mixed legacy — one defined by high legislative activity but also overshadowed by scandals, accusations of excess, and growing public distrust in the institution.
Source: Daily Monitor UG
