
“Whereas we are cognizant that some MPs are absent from the House, I am yet to receive individual letters, asking for permission to be out of the house. It is strict liability not to be courteous. We take personal liability, we were voted individually not as a team, so I am yet to receive from persons who are absent from the House” – Speaker Anita Among (22.11.2023).
The truth of the matter is this… the request and the ideals of Speaker Among isn’t sincere. These Parliamentary Rules and Rule Book for the 11th Parliament have been strictly used against the Opposition and certain Members of Parliament, because of their stature within the Opposition. The same rules seems to be forgotten and not exist or be honoured if an MP from the National Resistance Movement (NRM) was doing it.
Yes, in theory and practice, the boycotting Members of Parliament should seek the approval of the Speaker for “Leave of Absence”. However, we all know how that will go and how useless that is. She will use the book as a brick and throw it in their faces. The Speaker will humiliate them and bow to her honour. That’s what she does and how she rules the House.
This is why the Opposition MPs who are defying and boycotting the plenary sessions are doing so out of spite, but also out of a necessary evil. There is no other way out. We have seen how the games are played. The government isn’t being held accountable and the pleas for getting information or reports on the matters are disregarded. They are even mocked and being downplayed like it isn’t concerning even.
Speaker Among and Minister’s has played along to this. The NRM MPs and the 11th Parliament don’t mind the Human Rights Violations, the Prisoners of Conscience or ones abducted to unknown locations by the state. The August House doesn’t take this into consideration or even shows them a little a bit hope. No, there is nothing and no tears lost. Only more braggadocios behaviour and acts of mischief. As the opposition is whacked on their heads and have to bow down to rules of house.
This is why the boycott in itself won’t do much either. The NRM won’t change. The government and the authorities have been doing this for years now. They intend to extend its reign and will not cease the activities of the security organizations. The drones will continue and the agony will be felt on more civilians. The citizens who dares to become a part and be vocal supporters of the opposition. Those are the ones that could face the law, if not face the authorities and the shady side of politics. They could lose their freedom, their liberty and their rights to live normal life. As they await a long journey in dungeons, in awaiting prolonged periods before trial and even being court martialed as civilians. That’s what this government does and it doesn’t want the whole truth exposed.
That’s why the Speaker retaliates and makes threats. She has the rules of parliament to her disposal and can whip it. The usage of perks and others things can stifle some. Regardless of that, the cause they are fighting is for people who are suffering. The ones who stood up and is paying the price. They dared to challenge this regime and now they are living in an uncertain future. That’s why they boycotting the proceedings.
The Speaker should understand those sentiments. She should see and her the stories, but it’s hard to believe that. When you have a mansion and live a “glamorous life”. The MPs fights a just cause, but don’t expect any sympathy from the Speaker. She don’t care and only values her own power. Right now she’s at the top and she wants to prove it to her master that she was the right choice. Peace.











