Speaker of Parliament Anita Among on Monday launched a scathing attack on Butambala District Member of Parliament Muwanga Kivumbi, accusing him of political double-dealing and failure to contribute to development in the constituency he represents.
Addressing a public rally at Nkokoma Primary School in Bulo in Butambala, Among said leadership demands accountability to the people, regardless of political affiliation.
“We thank you for encouraging leaders to develop where they come from,” Among told residents. “Even when you are in opposition, when you lose your seat in Parliament, you will come back to Butambala. That means if you are a leader, you must lead by example by having a home in the area you represent.”
The Speaker questioned Kivumbi’s presence and investment in the district, claiming he does not own a house in Butambala.
“The MP here doesn’t even have a house,” Among said. “He is a refugee here. He sleeps in his mother’s house, and even that place they sleep in is for UNRA and government already paid for it. We want UNRA to come and reclaim it.”
Among stressed that being in opposition should not prevent leaders from investing in their constituencies.
“Even if you are in opposition, you should be able to develop,” she said. “Look at Nsibambi — he opened Jalia City along Masaka Road. Even if he built a hotel, it would give you jobs.”
She further alleged that while Kivumbi had not invested in Butambala, he had undertaken developments elsewhere.
“The Member of Parliament I am talking about has gone to build a hotel and gardens in a wetland in Kira,” Among said. “Now he wants us to think he has a monopoly of abusing President Museveni.”
The Speaker accused Kivumbi of presenting himself as an opposition figure in public while privately working with the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
“During the day he pretends to be in opposition, but at night he is with us,” Among said, drawing applause from the crowd.
She cited the debate on the Coffee Bill in Parliament as evidence of this claim.
“When the Coffee Bill was brought to Parliament, President Museveni used my phone to talk to Kivumbi,” Among said. “He advised on how the bill should be made. Now he comes here to blame the President.”
Among also questioned how a legislator, whom she noted is well remunerated by Parliament, could allegedly fail to support basic community infrastructure.
“Parliament pays MPs very well,” she said. “But how can you have a Kivumbi who cannot even think of putting a latrine anywhere here?”
Turning to youth mobilisation, the Speaker accused the MP of encouraging protests instead of supporting government empowerment programmes.
“The money we are putting in the budget is for the empowerment of youths,” Among said. “But he is telling youths that after voting on January 15, they should go to the streets.”
She questioned the purpose of such demonstrations.
“What are you demonstrating against?” she asked. “Is it against the peace brought? Is it against development? Or is it because you voted for the wrong person?”
Among urged voters to reconsider their political choices if they want development.
“Don’t vote for Muwanga Kivumbi if you want to develop,” she said. “You cannot have a person who doesn’t think about you.”
She concluded by warning against leaders who consistently oppose government programmes.
“You can’t have a person who opposes everything government says all the time,” Among said. “Yet the decisions government takes are for the good of the people of Uganda.”
