Parliament Dismisses Tribal Remarks Allegations Against Speaker Among
By The Public Lens
Parliament’s Director of Communication, Chris Obore, has categorically denied allegations that Speaker Anita Among made tribal remarks targeting the Baganda during a heated debate on the National Coffee Amendment Bill 2024.
Obore described a video circulating online, purportedly showing Among mobilizing against Buganda Caucus MPs, as “fake” and “edited.”
“The video does not capture what she said fully, and some people are attempting to complete her sentences based on their own biases,” Obore stated, emphasizing that this characterization is a poor attempt to use artificial intelligence for political gain.
According to Obore, some MPs alleged the National Coffee Amendment Bill 2024 was “poison served by government to the people of Buganda.”
However, Obore clarified that Speaker Among urged MPs not to attach tribal sentiments to the Bill, citing other coffee-producing areas like Bugisu.
“The Speaker didn’t mention words like ‘make sure those Baganda don’t get the numbers’; her statement was ‘make sure this issue is not tribalized,'” Obore said.
Obore also highlighted that Speaker Among gave opportunities to majority Members from Buganda during the proceedings.
The National Coffee Amendment Bill 2024 aims to merge Uganda Coffee Development Authority with the Ministry of Agriculture through the Rationalization of Government Agencies and Public Expenditure policy.
The primary goal of this policy is to merge, mainstream, and rationalize government agencies to reduce redundancy and optimize public expenditure.
However, MPs from Buganda opposed the scrapping of UCDA, citing its outstanding performance in helping farmers and increasing coffee exports.
Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga, of Buganda Kingdom, cautioned against dissolving UCDA, stating it would punish Baganda, who contribute nearly 50% of coffee exports.
Mayiga emphasized the importance of UCDA in coffee production, supporting nearly 2 million Ugandan households.
Buganda Kingdom has been promoting coffee growing through the ‘Emmwanyi Terimba Initiative.’
President Museveni explained that returning agencies to parent ministries would streamline operations by eliminating unnecessary ones.
Museveni disagreed with arguments that ministries can’t manage tasks, citing Uganda People’s Defence Forces as an example of effective management.
