Speaker Among Halts Motion to Censure Parliamentary Commissioners After Court Ruling

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Speaker of Parliament Anita Among has decisively halted a motion initiated by MP Theodore Ssekikubo aimed at censuring four Parliamentary Commissioners, including the Leader of the Opposition, Mathias Mpuuga. The motion, which was filed on August 5, 2024, accused the commissioners of unlawfully awarding themselves Shs1.7 billion in “service awards” during a meeting held on May 6, 2022.

The controversy surrounding these payments had already escalated to the judiciary, leading to a legal battle in the High Court in the case of Daniel Bwette vs. Parliamentary Commission. On August 12, 2024, the court delivered a ruling that validated the payments, affirming that the Parliamentary Commission possessed the authority to approve such allowances with the approval of Parliament.

In a session marked by firm leadership, Speaker Among emphasized the necessity for Parliament to respect the court’s decision, cautioning against revisiting matters that have been legally adjudicated. She highlighted the principles of res judicata—which bars the re-litigation of cases that have been conclusively settled—and the separation of powers, underscoring that Parliament cannot overturn decisions made by the judiciary.

“The motion is legally moot,” Among declared, citing the court’s findings and stressing that any action undermining the judiciary’s independence must be avoided. Her decision serves as a reinforcement of the judiciary’s authority and a reminder to Parliament of its constitutional boundaries.

This development marks a significant moment in the ongoing debate over the roles and responsibilities of Parliamentary Commissioners in Uganda. Ssekikubo’s motion had alleged that the commissioners, including Esther Afwoyochan and Prossy Akampulira, had created and approved the “service award” without the requisite parliamentary approval. However, the High Court found no wrongdoing, affirming that the Parliamentary Commission’s actions were within its legal rights.

Speaker Among’s intervention not only quashes the motion but also sends a clear message about the importance of adhering to judicial decisions, further solidifying the principle of separation of powers in Uganda’s governance.