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The Leader of Opposition in Parliament (LOP) Joel Ssenyonyi has explained why he appointed Brenda Keijagye, a sister-in-law to the National Unity Platform (NUP) president, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu alias Bobi Wine, as his aide.

Ssenyonyi made the revelations while addressing parliamentary journalists on Monday, March 11, during an engagement to set the record straight with respect to corruption allegations surrounding the operations of Parliament.

The sticking issues which border on bribery, abuse of travel allowances, and illegal recruitments were among several unearthed during the course of an ongoing civic campaign by satirist Prof. Spire Ssentongo dubbed #UgandaParliamentExhibition.  

Ssenyonyi said that Barbie Kyagulanyi’s sister popped into the frame after two people he had seconded failed under unclear circumstances.



According to sources at Parliament, the Nakawa East legislator had initially settled for a one Faisal but his appointment was negated on the pretext that he is still battling cases in the General Court Martial.  

“The first name that I had recommended apparently because this person has got an ongoing case. He is part of the team that was arrested in Kalangala, remember that team? This is somebody who has got a degree, competent person but they said no he has a case which is illegal because Article 28(3) of the constitution provides for innocence until guilt is proven or acknowledged,” he explained.

“But I said okay let me not pull ropes, here and there. I appointed another person which person was also failed deliberately because some people are saying this one wants to run against a particular MP. Now if he gets a job here, now he will be empowered to run against that particular person, ridiculous. This is a person who is very qualified,” Ssenyonyi added.

When these two were rejected, he says that he had no option other than to turn to Brenda Keijagye.

Keijagye, according to sources, joined Parliament in 2021 as a policy analyst alongside five other individuals.

These were attached to the office of the then Leader of Opposition Mathias Mpuuga on a two-and-a-half-year contract.

However, towards the end of Mpuuga’s tenure, the others with the exception of Keijagye were not given new contracts.

Keijagye, a graduate of community psychology, is legally married to Innocent Karuhanga Kabwisho. Kabwisho in 2021 contested for the Kashari North seat on an independent seat but lost to National Resistance Movement’s Basil Bataringaya Rwankwene.