New MPs face lack of trust

Unknown MPs

Meanwhile, on the issue of a big percentage of Ugandans not knowing who their legislators are, Kyomuhendo told The Independent that the just concluded elections were unique in so many ways. She said the electorate missed out on the usual fanfare; concerts and t-shirts and all those things that usually accompany an election period. It is at rallies that the electorate gets to know the candidates.

The political campaigns, Kyomuhendo said, were largely quiet because of all the restrictions instituted by the government to control the COVID-19 pandemic. In instances where some candidates tried to have public rallies, Kyomuhendo said, the people consumed images in the media of candidates being tear-gassed or being beaten by police.

So people distanced themselves from these political rallies and elections. But Kyomuhendo also notes that in some regions like the central region, where the National Unity Platform (NUP) party dominated, people decided to vote for the umbrella, the NUP party symbol, regardless of who was the flag bearer.

“So they are waiting for their MP or local council councillors to come back and tell them who they are,” she said.

Segululigamba told The Independent that this could also speak to the size of some constituencies. Some constituencies, he says, are simply too big for candidates to traverse so it is difficult for the candidates to interface with the voters.

“In some constituencies, especially the island district of Kalangala in Lake Victoria; there are islands which are really hard to reach.”

Segululigamba told The Independent that the fact that hundreds of MPs in the 11^th Parliament are hardly known means that their work starts now.

“They need to reach-out more to the electorate; to bridge the gap between those who elected them and those who did not,” he said,  “They also need to make sure they deliver on their campaign promises; talk about the people’s issues but also lobby for public services to reach the people they represent.”

Kyomuhendo adds that it is also important for the MPs to do what their electorate wants. “That means no reneging on their promises and they should not be seen to be voting or legislating against the people’s interests.”

“That is the only way, the MPs can get the confidence back; otherwise their position will continue to be seen as people who just go to Parliament to earn a living or to eat as the popular saying goes.”

But, for Cissy Kagaba, the executive director of the Anti-Corruption Coalition-Uganda, the focus should be on the new crop of opposition MPs. She says although they are outnumbered by the NRM MPs, the opposition MPs have an opportunity of being exemplary this time.

“It is high time the electorate sees a difference between the noise and their deeds. The MPs should know that the emoluments they are entitled to in that Parliament are neither fair nor equitable when compared to the needs of the people they claim to represent.”

“How strategic can these opposition MPs be when it comes to service delivery? We need to see a difference between the current opposition and the NRM MPs.”

“Our MPs tell us they are our servants but in actual sense they are demi-gods in Parliament. What type of MP are you who wants a Shs 200 million vehicle but back in your constituency, you have thousands of people who are wallowing in poverty.”

Kagaba told The Independent that it would be a good start if, for instance, the opposition did not use all the Shs 200 million that they are about to get to buy cars.

“Why not buy a car of say Shs 70 million and use the rest to meet the pressing needs in your constituency?”

****