Byanyima, Kiyonga Clash In House
Jun 26, 2003
MP Winnie Byanyima walked into the parliamentary chambers at 3:28pm wearing a broad smile amid foot stamping from fellow legislators, but left annoyed by Dr. Crispus Kiyonga’s accusations that some members of the opposition were undermining government programmes.
By Vision Reporters
MP Winnie Byanyima walked into the parliamentary chambers at 3:28pm wearing a broad smile amid foot stamping from fellow legislators, but left annoyed by Dr. Crispus Kiyonga’s accusations that some members of the opposition were undermining government programmes.
This was the scenario at Parliament yesterday as the House wound up the debate on the State of the Nation address delivered by President Yoweri Museveni on June 5.
Byanyima was appearing in the House for the first time after her return on Tuesday from her four-month long foreign visits.
Without mentioning names, Kiyonga said some members of the Reform Agenda (RA) had attempted to convince the US government that Uganda was not democratic and should be excluded from the Millennium Challenge Account beneficiary countries.
“We should learn to be patriotic and restrict our political quarrels within the country. It is not proper for our colleagues in the opposition to spend a lot of their time and energy moving in foreign capitals trying to de-campaign the government programme. This is unpatriotic to say the least,†Kiyonga said as some MPs shouted “shame†and others foot stamped in approval.
Hardly had Kiyonga uttered his next statement than Byanyima shot to her feet to protest.
“Is it in order, Mr. Speaker, for the honourable member to mislead the House that members of the opposition can influence the criteria used in identifying beneficiary countries under the Millennium Challenge Account. Is it in order for him to say that there is anyone anywhere who can influence these highly scientific criteria by merely talking about the situation back home?†Byanyima retorted angrily.
Ssekandi, however, ruled that Kiyonga was only emphasising the need for leaders to be patriotic and restrict the quarrels at home and that he could not rule him out of order.
Kiyonga urged Ugandans, especially those in positions of leadership, to have a common vision for country it and pursue it vigorously.
Ends
MP Winnie Byanyima walked into the parliamentary chambers at 3:28pm wearing a broad smile amid foot stamping from fellow legislators, but left annoyed by Dr. Crispus Kiyonga’s accusations that some members of the opposition were undermining government programmes.
This was the scenario at Parliament yesterday as the House wound up the debate on the State of the Nation address delivered by President Yoweri Museveni on June 5.
Byanyima was appearing in the House for the first time after her return on Tuesday from her four-month long foreign visits.
Without mentioning names, Kiyonga said some members of the Reform Agenda (RA) had attempted to convince the US government that Uganda was not democratic and should be excluded from the Millennium Challenge Account beneficiary countries.
“We should learn to be patriotic and restrict our political quarrels within the country. It is not proper for our colleagues in the opposition to spend a lot of their time and energy moving in foreign capitals trying to de-campaign the government programme. This is unpatriotic to say the least,†Kiyonga said as some MPs shouted “shame†and others foot stamped in approval.
Hardly had Kiyonga uttered his next statement than Byanyima shot to her feet to protest.
“Is it in order, Mr. Speaker, for the honourable member to mislead the House that members of the opposition can influence the criteria used in identifying beneficiary countries under the Millennium Challenge Account. Is it in order for him to say that there is anyone anywhere who can influence these highly scientific criteria by merely talking about the situation back home?†Byanyima retorted angrily.
Ssekandi, however, ruled that Kiyonga was only emphasising the need for leaders to be patriotic and restrict the quarrels at home and that he could not rule him out of order.
Kiyonga urged Ugandans, especially those in positions of leadership, to have a common vision for country it and pursue it vigorously.
Ends