Objectivity defines Speaker Rebecca Kadaga

64TH COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY CONFERENCE 2019

The Parliament of Uganda, under the leadership of the Rt. Hon. Speaker Rebecca Kadaga (MP), is set to host the 64th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) in Uganda in September.


The forthcoming CPC is preceded by the 63rd session that was held in Dakar, Bangladesh in 2017.

Kadaga who is also the President Designate (2018-2019) of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) will host the Kampala conference along the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, Uganda Branch. Below, we look at Kadaga's reign as Speaker of the Ugandan Parliament.

People's speaker

In May 2011, Kadaga was voted Speaker with a landslide victory of 302 votes to Nathan Nandala-Mafabi's 72. Revered for putting national interests above party politics, Kadaga was quickly tagged "the people's speaker" by both Members of Parliament and the public.

And as a true people's Speaker, when Uganda won the bid the host the 126 Assembly of Inter-Parliamentary Union in April 2012, the world's largest union of 159 national parliaments, Kadaga called on both NRM and opposition MPs to showcase Uganda's positive attributes to the visiting delegates.

However, the Forum for Democratic Change party and Activists for Change (A4C) staged a walk-to-work protest during the assembly and many opined that the opposition had taken advantage of her accommodative attitude.

"The style with which she referees parliamentary sessions is evenhanded, a trait so unusual among party-affiliated politicians that she has publicly said she will not give in to pressure from fellow NRM party members to muzzle opposition voices," says Stephen Sserwanga, a lecturer of political science at Makerere University.

Sserwanga adds that Kadaga is an influential politician not only in Uganda, but the entire region.

"In 2012, Kadaga marketed Ugandan candidate Margaret Zziwa and helped her become Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly," saya Sserwanga.

And it was through such efforts, he adds, that Kadaga was recognised with an award for helping the East African integration process, and also earned the respect of most Ugandans for being the voice of reason in a Parliament fraught with political frictions.

No-nonsense Kadaga

Two weeks after her election, Kadaga is quoted to have said: "Members, I did not want to apply the rules strictly during this orientation. I am waiting for you to have maiden speeches before I start hitting people on the head. The whip will be later; for now let us just listen to each other."

Critics

And when the hitting began, MPs accused Kadaga of selectively interpreting House rules to her advantage, most notably when she refused to recall Parliament until MPs stipulated the agenda for the discussion on Uganda's oil agreements.

Andrew Basekana, a political observer argued that the move endeared her to Ugandans.

"When she finally reconvened the House, she argued that she could not reconvene the House for MPs to just greet each other as every sitting is a cost to the taxpayer in form of sitting allowances. This won her admiration from Ugandans for standing her ground even when they threatened her with a censure motion," says Basekana.

The CPA Secretary General, Akbar Khan (centre), with the members of the organising committee of the forthcoming Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference

In 2011, Kadaga was praised for showing patriotism and impartiality after she instituted investigations in the oil-bribe allegations on ministers Amama Mbabazi, Sam Kuteesa, and Hilary Onek.

"It seemed like a betrayal to the party since, like them, she too was an NRM MP," Basekana says.

Kadaga has also been outspoken on the high level corruption in the country that she says is at a crisis level. Uganda loses billions of money in corruption tendencies with analysts arguing that up to 20% of the budget is diverted for private use by officials.

Hailed

Kadaga has also been applauded for her being independent minded and objective in the usually murky waters of politics that are characterised by deal-making and appeasement. Former opposition attorney general Abdu Katuntu once called her the "best speaker Uganda has had."

In November 2018, some MPs passed a motion congratulating Kadaga on consistently upholding and protecting Uganda's cultural values during the 139 IPU Assembly in Geneva.

"I appreciate you for always being bold. You are the kind of leader this country wants. Looking at your record in Parliament, I pray that you go on to become the President of Uganda," said the Kilak South County MP, Gilbert Olanya.

Kadaga interacts with pupils of Punuoluru Primary School, Lira at the New Vision offices last week Friday

Olanya said the way Kadaga defended Uganda was an indication that God was molding her for the top job.

"The way you defend Uganda out there means you can do a better job defending the country as president," Olanya said.

Good leader

Nwoya County MP Simon Oyet concurred with Olanya, stating that Kadaga had surpassed the speakership position and should go for the presidency.

"Abraham Lincoln once said, courage is the best quality among all the qualities of a good leader and you have proved beyond reasonable doubt that you are the most courageous woman this country has produced," he said.

At the same sitting, Lucy Achiro Otim, the Aruu North County MP, also called on Kadaga to go for the presidency.

"It may not be now or next year, but I am sure in the near future, you will be the first female president of Uganda," Achiro said.

_____________________________

 

REBECCA KADAGA FACT FILE


• Born May 24, 1956 in Kamuli to George Wilson Madali and Eve Kadaga
• Attended Shimoni Demonstration School (1968), St. Katherine S.S. Lira (1972), Kamuli College Namasagali (1974)
• Bachelor of Laws, Makerere University (1978)
• Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice, Law Development Centre, Kampala   (1979)
• Diploma in Women's Law (2000) and Master of Women's Law (2003), University of Zimbabwe.
• First woman to establish a law firm in Uganda (1984)
• President, International Federation of Women Lawyers — FIDA Uganda (1986-1989)
• Secretary General, East African Women Parliamentarians Association (1996)
• Minister of State for Regional Cooperation (1996-1998)
• Minister of State for Transport (1998-1999)
• Minister for Parliamentary Affairs (1999-2001)
• Deputy Speaker of Parliament (2001-2011)
• Speaker of Parliament (2011 to date)