Most active and silent MPs in 2016

Since their inauguration last May, the new MPs of the 10th Parliament had about seven months to make their first glowing impressions through debate on the floor of the house before the end of the first session.

Inside the house, some have already made their mark while others are more outspoken outside. An independent analysis of the Hansard, the official parliamentary record, shows that at least 82 MPs didn’t say a word during debate in the just-ended first session of the House, while 51 MPs spoke only once throughout the 37 plenary sittings this year, write TRACY AKELLO & SADAB KITATTA.

The 10th Parliament officially opened on May 19, with the election of Speaker Rebecca Kadaga and her deputy Jacob Oulanyah. The election of the speakers followed the swearing in of 427 MPs between May 16 -17, which was followed two months later by the inauguration of MPs Mbabazi Akampurira (Rubanda), Noreen Basemera (Kibale), Catherine Lamwaka (Omoro) and Jennifer Kyomuhendo (Kagadi). The four represent the new districts, which became operational on July 1.

The Observer’s scrutiny of the Hansard, Parliament’s official record, shows that 349 MPs out of the 431 lawmakers spoke on the floor of the House. This number excludes the 18 ex officio MPs, who are ministers.

In the first days of the new Parliament, the speakers tried to give each MP an opportunity to make a maiden speech. By the time Parliament broke off for Christmas and New Year’s holidays many had not said a word.

These include at least 18 ministers among them; Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi (Vice President), Sam Kutesa (Foreign Affairs), Esther Mbayo (Presidency), Mary Karooro Okurut (General Duties, OPM), Evelyn Anite (Investments) and Ernest Kiiza (Bunyoro Affairs).

The silent MPs include; Lt Gen Ivan Koreta (UPDF), Cissy Dionozia Namujju (Lwengo Woman), Kato Lubwama (Lubaga South), Julius Bua Acom (Otuke), Veronica Nanyondo (Bukomansimbi Woman) and Grace Hailat Kaudha (Iganga Woman).

DOMINANT MPs

Business in the House was dominated by the government chief whip Ruth Nankabirwa, who is also the Kiboga Woman MP. According to the Hansard, she spoke 182 times.

She mainly answered queries raised by legislators because Dr Ruhakana Rugunda, the prime minister and leader of government business in Parliament, was not a regular fixture in the House.

Rugunda’s deputy, Gen Moses Ali, spoke only 27 times. Essentially Nankabirwa spoke for the leader of government business and any other absentee minister with queries to answer on the floor. This didn’t go down well with some MPs.

For instance, on September 27, Atkins Godfrey Katusabe (Bukonjo West) criticized Nankabirwa for what he described as her “kitchen-sink approach of management” of assuming the roles of other ministers. Nankabirwa was only saved by Speaker Kadaga who stopped Katusabe in his tracks. She ruled that the Kiboga Woman MP was assisting the prime minister.

The MPs were not done, Ibanda North MP Guma Gumisiriza told Kadaga that Parliament needed definitive ministers since, according to its rules of procedure, Parliament can’t sit if the executive is away.

The other outspoken minister trailing Nankabirwa in rankings is David Bahati (Ndorwa West), the minister of state for planning. He spoke 92 times. Like Nankabirwa, Bahati spoke mostly in response to issues raised by MPs against government.

Bahati is followed by opposition gurus Kira MP Ssemujju Ibrahim Nganda, the opposition chief whip, and Kasese Woman MP Winnie Kiiza, the leader of opposition in Parliament. Along with Busongora North’s William Nzoghu, each spoke 72 times. Lwemiyaga MP Theodore Ssekikubo is the only NRM MP who spoke many times in a field dominated by the opposition.

He spoke 65 times. FDC secretary general Nathan Nandala-Mafabi contributed to debate 69 times. Among back bench NRM MPs, Ssekikubo, is followed by Manjiya MP John Baptist Nambeshe who spoke 34 times, Peter Ogwang (Usuk) and Jacqueline Amongin (Ngora Woman) spoke 33 and 31 times respectively.

NO NEED

While ministers have leverage over their backbench colleagues during any plenary sitting, ministers such as Frank Tumwebaze (ICT) ICT, Idah Nantaba (state for ICT), Adolf Mwesige (Defence) and John Byabagambi were captured once on the Hansard.

The only time Nantaba appears on the Hansard was on October 5, the day she tabled The Uganda Communications Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2016 while Mwesige was captured on November 7 while eulogizing former UPDF MP Maj Gen Julius Oketta who died on November 5.

Tumwebaze’s only recorded time on the Hansard was on August 10 when he made his maiden speech and also responded to Bulamogi MP Kenneth Lubogo’s question relating to MTN Uganda’s introduction of MoKash mobile banking service.

FDC’s rubble rouser Mubarak Munyagwa (Kawempe South) also spoke once. The only record of him was on August 25 when he rose to ask government about the fate of Dr Kizza Besigye’s former aide Sam Mugumya, currently incarcerated in Ndolo prison in DR Congo.

Ibrahim Abiriga (Arua Municipality, NRM) was captured once on July 13 during the designation of members to various Parliamentary committees when he rejected his allocation to the Human Rights committee.

Some ministers like Denis Galabuzi (state for Luweero Triangle) who didn’t speak at all told The Observer on Saturday that he saw no need in speaking since he is under the office of the Prime Minister (OPM).

“I don’t want to comment on this matter. You know I am a minister whose docket as state minister for Luweero Triangle falls under the Prime Minister, who usually speaks on our behalf,” Galabuzi said.

Interviewed, MPs such as former minister Aston Kajara (Mwenge South) said on Saturday that there was nothing to talk about since the executive failed to bring enough business to Parliament.

“I think there was nothing new and there was no serious business in the plenary because government didn’t bring it; but I was very active in the committees [of Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, and that of National Economy] I am assigned to,” Kajara said.

Parliament’s director of Communications Chris Obore defended the silent MPs on Saturday arguing that an MP’s performance cannot only be gauged from the plenary sittings.

“I believe that all MPs talk but where they talk from makes the difference. There are MPs who speak in the committees and there, they are still doing Parliamentary work,” Obore said.

“In plenary some MPs don’t talk because the numbers are many and the time allocated to each MP is not enough, [so] in the interest of meaningful debate, some MPs allow their colleagues to present the issue,” he added.

Obore also argues that the public ought not to turn a blind eye on the bloated size of parliament, which offers limited opportunity to all MPs.

“The challenge [of not speaking] is not entirely the problem of the MPs but the nature of our politics today which has brought in more constituencies and more MPs yet time is constant,” Obore said.

	NAME	CONSTITUENCY	No of times
1	Ruth Nankabirwa	Kiboga woman	182
2	David Bahati	Ndorwa west	92
3	Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda	Kira municipality	72
4	Nzoghu William	Busongora north	72
5	Winnie Kiiza	Kasese woman	72
6	Nathan Nandala-Mafabi	Budadiri west	69
7	Ssekikubo Theodore	Lwemiyaga county	65
8	Elijah Okupa	Kasilo county	56
9	Cecilia Ogwal	Dokolo woman	52
10	Franca Akello	Agago woman	45
11	Betty Nambooze	Mukono municipality	44
12	Gilbert Olanya	Kilak south	44
13	Opendi Sarah	Tororo woman	44
14	Vincent Sempijja	Kalungu east	42
15	Jack Wamanga-Wamai	Mbale municipality	39
16	Joseph Ssewungu	Kalungu west	36
17	Fungaroo Kaps	Obongi county	34
18	John Baptist Nambeshe	Manjiya county	34
19	Ogwang Peter	Usuk county	33
20	Amongin Jacquiline	Ngora woman	31
21	Anywarach Joshua	Padyere county	31
22	Atkins Godfrey Katusabe	Bukonzo west	31
23	Jacob Oboth	West Budama south	31
24	Kasibante Moses	Lubaga north	31
25	Matia Kasaija	Buyanja county	31
26	Niwagaba Wilfred	Ndorwa east	31
27	Odonga Otto	Aruu county	31
28	James Kaberuka Niringiyemana	Kinkiizi west	31
29	Anthony Okello	Kioga county	29
30	Alum Santa	Oyam woman	28
31	Beatrice Anywar	Kitgum municipality	28
32	Mukitale Stephen	Buliisa county	28
33	Joy Atim Ongom	Lira woman	27
34	Mathias Mpuuga	Masaka municipality	27
35	Moses Ali	Adjumani west county	27
36	Abacanon Gutomoi	Erute north	26
37	Aol Betty	Gulu woman	26
38	Robert Kafeero Ssekitoleko	Nakifuma county	26
39	James Kakooza	Kabula county	25
40	Baryomunsi Chris	Kinkiizi east	24
41	Capt Susan Lakot	UPDF	24
42	Kenneth Lubogo	Bulamogi county	24
43	Mohammed Muwanga-Kivumbi	Butambala county	24
44	Jovah Kamateeka	Mitooma woman	23
45	Magyezi Raphael	Igara West	23
46	Silas Aogon	Kumi municipality	23
47	Elizabeth Karungi	Kanungu woman	22
48	Amoding Monica	Kumi woman	21
49	Anthony Akol	Kilak north	21
50	Rosemary Seninde	Wakiso woman	21
51	Charles Bakabulindi	Worker’s Mp	20
52	Denis Hamson Obua	Ajuri county	20
53	Gaffa Mbwatekamwa	Kasambya county	20
54	Joyce Moriku	Moyo woman	20
55	Majegere Kyewalabye Waira	Bunya east	20
56	Simon Oyet	Nwoya county	20
57	Abala David	Ngora county	19
58	Jackson Kafuuzi	Kyaka south	19
59	Lucy Akello	Amuru woman	19
60	Aggrey Bagiire	Bunya west	17
61	Cheptoris Sam	Kapchworwa municipality	17
62	James Waluswaka	Bunyole west	17
63	Abbas Agaba	Kitagwenda county	17
64	Byarugaba Alex	Isingiro south	17
65	Abdu Katuntu	Bugweri county	16
66	Annet Nyakecho	Tororo north	16
67	Francis Mwijukye	Buhweju county	16
68	Jonathan Odur	Erute south	16
69	Onesmus Twinamasiko	Bugangaizi east	16
70	Kania Obiga	Terego east	15
71	Abdu Latif Sebaggala	Kawempe north	14
72	Angellina Osegge	Soroti woman	14
73	Justine Khainza	Bududa woman	14
74	Okumu Reagan	Aswa county	14
75	Vicent Woboya	Budadiri east	14
76	Okot Ogong	Dokolo south	14
77	Bukenya Michael	Bukuya county	13
78	Fred Mwesigye	Nyabushozi county	13
79	Kamusiime Pentagon	Butemba county	13
80	Medard Sseggona	Busiro east	13
81	Jalia Bintu	Masindi woman	13
82	Alex Ruhunda	Fortportal municipality	12
83	Connie Galiwango Nakayenze	Mbale woman	12
84	Hilary Onek	Lamwo county	12
85	Juliet Kyinyamatama Suubi	Rakai woman	12
86	Julius Ochen	Kapelebyong county	12
87	Rosemary Nauwat	Amudat woman	12
88	Tom Alero	West Moyo county	12
89	Doreen Amule	Amolator woman	12
90	Adong Lilly	Nwoya woman	11
91	Amos Lugoloobi	Ntenjeru north	11
92	Angel Mark Dulu	Adjumani east	11
93	Atiku Bernard	Ayivu county	11
94	Centenary Robert	Kasese municipality	11
95	Dorothy Azairwe Nshaija	Kamwenge woman	11
96	Ecweru Musa	Amuria county	11
97	Edward Makmot Otto	Agago county	11
98	Florence Namayanja	Bukoto east	11
99	Fredrick Angura	Tororo south	11
100	Henry Kibalya	Bugabula south	11
101	Jacob Opolot	Palisa county	11
102	Jesca Ababiku	Adjumani woman	11
103	Johnson Muyanja Senyonga	Mukono south	11
104	Milly Mugeni	Butaleja woman	11
105	Mohammed Nsereko	Kampala central	11
106	Richard Okoth Othieno	West Budama north	11
107	Aja Andrew Baryayanga	Kabale municipality	11
108	Nsamba Patrick Oshabe	Kasanda north	10
109	Bagoole John	Luuka north	10
110	Ephraim Kamuntu	Sheema south	10
111	George Abott Ouma	Bukooli county	10
112	Hellen Asamo	Pwds eastern	10
113	Henry Musasizi	Rubanda east	10
114	Lowila CD Oketayot	Pader woman	10
115	Lutamaguzi Paulson	Nakaseke south	10
116	Philip Okin Ojara	Chua west	10
117	Helen Kahunde	Kiryandongo woman	9
118	Isaac Mulindwa	Lugazi municipality	9
119	Mbabali Muyanja	Bukoto south	9
120	Peter Sematimba	Busiro south	9
121	Rehema Watongola	Kamuli municipality	9
122	Mary Babirye Kabanda	Masaka woman	9
123	Gerald Karuhanga	Ntungamo municipality	9
124	Dr J.C Muyingo	Bamunanika county	8
125	Col Felix Kulayige	UPDF	8
126	Emmanuel Ongiertho	Jonam county	8
127	Evelyn Chemutai	Bukwo woman	8
128	Francis Gonahasa	Kabweri county	8
129	Gaster Mugoya	Bukooli north	8
130	Julius Acon	Otuke county	8
131	Keefa Kiwanuka	Kiboga east	8
132	Oseku Richard	Kibale county	8
133	Peter Lokeris	Chekwii county	8
134	Rwabwogo Sylvia	Kabarole woman	8
135	Silwany Solomon	Bukooli central	8
136	Syda Bbumba	Nakaseke north	8
137	Tayebwa Thomas	Ruhinda north	8
138	Margaret Baba Diri	Koboko woman	8
139	Fred Tumuheirwe	Rujumbura county	8
140	Anthony Ssemuli	Mubende municipality	7
141	Balyeku Moses	Jinja west	7
142	Clement Obote Ongalo	Kalaki county	7
143	Herbert Kabafunzaki	Rukiga county	7
144	Hood Katuramu	Pwds western	7
145	Judith Nabakooba	Mityana woman	7
146	Mary Kitutu	Manafwa woman	7
147	Michael Timuzigu	Kajara county	7
148	Moses Walyomu	Kagoma county	7
149	Wilson Muruli Mukasa	Budyebo county	7
150	Ogenga Latigo	Agago north	7
151	Rose Mutonyi	Bubulo west	7
152	Tom Butime	Mwenge central	7
153	Alex Burundo	Bulambuli county	6
154	Ariko Herbert	Soroti municipality	6
155	Stephen Kisa Bakubalwayo	Luuka south	6
156	Emmanuel Ssempala	Makindye sabagabo municipality	6
157	Eragu Veronica Isala	Kaberamaido county	6
158	Henry Okello Oryem	Chua east	6
159	Lawrence Mangusho	Kween county	6
160	Noah Mutebi	Nakasongola county	6
161	Sam Bitangaro	Bufumbira south county	6
162	Fred Baseke	Ntenjeru south	6
163	Alioni Odria	Aringa south	6
164	Ayoo Tonny	Kwania county	6
165	Akamba Paul	Busiki county	5
166	Anna Adeke Ebaju	Youth Rep. Eastern	5
167	Charles Ilukor	Kumi county	5
168	Daniel Muhirwe	Buhaguzi county	5
169	Dononzio Kahonda	Ruhinda county	5
170	Elioda Tumwesigye	Sheema north	5
171	Genensio Tumuramye	Kashongi county	5
172	Godfrey Onzima	Aringa north	5
173	Godfrey Watenga	Lutseshe county	5
174	Hatwib Katoto	Katerera county	5
175	Hillary Lokwang	Ik county	5
176	Jacqueline Aol	Nebbi woman	5
177	Jennifer Namuyangu	Kibuku woman	5
178	Kenneth Esiangu	Soroti county	5
179	Lamwaka Margaret	Kitgum woman	5
180	Lilian Nakate	Luweero woman	5
181	Lyandro Komakech	Gulu municipality	5
182	Lydia Chekwel	Kween woman	5
183	Maragaret Komuhangi	Nakasongola woman	5
184	Margaret Rwabushaija	Worker’s Mp	5
185	Musa Ecweru	Amuria county	5
186	Nsaba Buturo	Bufumbira east	5
187	Richard Gafabusa	Bwamba county	5
188	Silvia Akello	Otuke woman	5
189	Terence Achia	Bokora county	5
190	William Beijukye	Ruhaama county	5
191	James Acidri	Maracha east	5
192	Jennifer Egunyu	Buvuma woman	5
193	Harold Muhindo	Bukonzo east	5
194	Maj. Gen. Pecos Kutesa	UPDF	5
195	Abigaba Cuthbert	Kibale county	4
196	Agnes Ameede	Pallisa woman	4
197	Agnes Kunihira	Worker’s Mp	4
198	Allan Ssewanyana	Makindye west	4
199	Andrew Martial	Igara east	4
200	Arinaitwe Rwakajara	Worker’s Mp	4
201	Betty Amongi	Oyam south	4
202	Christopher Kalemba	Kakuuto county	4
203	Christopher Kipterit	Upe county	4
204	Emmanuel Kalule-Ssengo	Gomba east	4
205	Florence Wamala	Sironko woman	4
206	Francis Mukula	Agule county	4
207	Gabriel Ajedra	Vurra county	4
208	Geoffrey Macho	Busia municipality	4
209	Gordon Bafaki	Kazo county	4
210	Jackson Mbaju	Busongora south	4
211	James Baba	Koboko county	4
212	John Baptist Lokii	Matheniko county	4
213	Maria Goretti Ajilo	Kaberamaido woman	4
214	Michael Tusiime	Mbarara municipality	4
215	Mwesigwa Rukutana	Rushenyi county	4
216	Paul Amoru	Dokolo north	4
217	Persis Namuganza	Bukono county	4
218	Ronald Mugume	Rukungiri municipality	4
219	Simeo Nsubuga	Kassanda south	4
220	Simon Lokodo	Dodoth west	4
221	Violet Adome	Katakwi woman	4
222	Anita Among	Bukedea woman	4
223	Denis Oguzu Lee	Maracha county	4
224	Catherine Ndamira	Kibale woman	3
225	Charles Ngabirano	Rwampara county	3
226	Cosmas Elotu	Dakabela county	3
227	Cyrus Amodoi	Toroma county	3
228	Denis Sabiit	Rubanda west	3
229	Gen Tumwine Elly	UPDF	3
230	Eric Musana	Buyaga east	3
231	Fred Bwino	Kigulu north	3
232	Gen Katumba Wamala	UPDF	3
233	Guma Gumisiriza	Ibanda north	3
234	Isaac Etuka	Upper Madi county	3
235	Jane Nabulindo	Busia woman	3
236	Jeniffer Kyomuhendo	Kagadi woman	3
237	Jimmy Akena	Lira municipality	3
238	Joseph Kasozi	Bukoto county	3
239	Katali Loy	Jinja woman	3
240	Katwesigye Oliver	Buhweju woman	3
241	Margaret Muhanga	Burahya county	3
242	Mbalibula C. Kibanzanga	Bughendera county	3
243	Mwine Sheila	Kiruhura woman	3
244	Nabila Naggayi	Kampala woman	3
245	Norah Bigirwa	Buliisa woman	3
246	Paul Chelimo Reuben	Kongasis county	3
247	Peter Okot	Tochi county	3
248	Remigio Achia	Pian county	3
249	Robert Migadde Ndugwa	Buvuma Islands county	3
250	Robert Ntende	Bunya south	3
251	Robina Rwakoojo	Gomba west	3
252	Sarah Nakawunde	Mpigi woman	3
253	Herbert Kinobere	Kibuku county	3
254	Judith Alyek	Kole woman	3
255	Hellen Adoa	Serere woman	3
256	Agnes Taaka	Bugiri woman	2
257	Alex Ndeezi	Pwds central	2
258	Amelia Kyambadde	Mawokota north	2
259	Anifa Kawooya	Sembabule woman	2
260	Anne Maria Nankabirwa	Kyankwanzi woman	2
261	Annie Logiel	Moroto woman	2
262	Apollo Yeri	Tororo municipality	2
263	Brig. Innocent Oula	UPDF	2
264	Bright Rwamirama	Isingiro north	2
265	Catherine Lamwaka	Omoro woman	2
266	Col. Charles Engola	Oyam north	2
267	David Ronnie Mutebi	Buikwe south	2
268	Frederick Gume	Bulamogi north west	2
269	George Wilson Kumama	Bbaale county	2
270	Gideon Onyango	Samia Bugwe north	2
271	Godfrey Kiwanda Ssuubi	Mityana north	2
272	Gordon Arinda	Bushenyi-Ishaka municipality	2
273	Isaac Musumba	Buzaaya county	2
274	John Bosco Ikojo	Bukedea county	2
275	John Ntamuhira Twesigye	Bunyaruguru county	2
276	Josephine Bebona Babungi	Bundibugyo woman	2
277	Judith Babirye	Buikwe woman	2
278	Kadogo Veronica Babirye	Buyende woman	2
279	Lanyero Molly	Lamwo woman	2
280	Lawrence Onegiu	Ora county	2
281	Margaret Aleper	Kotido woman	2
282	Michael Ayepa	Labwor county	2
283	Michael Werikhe	Bungokho south	2
284	Moses Nagwomu	Bunyole east	2
285	Mpaka Mwine	Youth Rep. Western	2
286	Nelson Lufafa	Butembe county	2
287	Oscar Omony	Youth Rep. Northern	2
288	Robert Musoke	Budiope west	2
289	Rukia Chekamondo	Kapchorwa woman	2
290	Sarah Babirye	Youth Rep. central	2
291	Sarah Najjuma	Nakaseke woman	2
292	Spellanza Baguma	Kyenjojo woman	2
293	Stella Kiiza	Kyegegwa woman	2
294	Stella Namoe	Napak woman	2
295	Lt Col Byekwaso Flavia	UPDF	2
296	Makumbi Kamya Henry	Mityana south	2
297	Noah Olega	Aringa county	2
298	Adolf Mwesige	Bunyangabu county	1
299	Aida Nantaba	Kayunga woman	1
300	Albert Lokoru	Tepeth county	1
301	Amos Mandera	Buyamba county	1
302	Andrew Kaluya	Kigulu south	1
303	Angiro Gutumoi	Erute north	1
304	Christine Achen	Alebtong woman	1
305	David Karubanga	Kigorobya county	1
306	David Lukyamuzi	Busujju county	1
307	Edward Sembatya	Katikamu south	1
308	Esther Anyakun	Nakapiripirit woman	1
309	Frank Tumwebaze	Kibale east	1
310	Fred Mudukoi	Butebo county	1
311	Geofrey Dhamuzungu	Budiope east	1
312	Gershom Sizomu	Bungokho north	1
313	Hope Mukisa	Namayingo woman	1
314	Ibrahim Abiriga	Arua municipality	1
315	Jack Odur	Kibanda south	1
316	Jacklet Atuhaire	Sheema woman	1
317	Janet Okori-Moe	Abim woman	1
318	John Byabagambi	Ibanda south	1
319	Julius Maganda	Samia Bugwe south	1
320	Kajungu Mutambi Rosette	Mbarara woman	1
321	Karooro Okurut	Bushenyi woman	1
322	Kenneth Soyekwo	Tingey county	1
323	Kulany Chekamondo	Kapchworwa woman	1
324	Lawrence Akugizibwe	Mwenge north	1
325	Lawrence Bategeka	Hoima municipality	1
326	Margaret Mbeiza	Kaliro woman	1
327	Mbogo Kezekiah	Budaka county	1
328	Miriam Naigaga	Namutumba woman	1
329	Mubarak Munyagwa	Kawempe south	1
330	Nathan Twesigye	Kashari south	1
331	Okabe Patrick	Serere county	1
332	Oyet Simon	Nwoya county	1
333	Pamela Kamugo	Budaka woman	1
334	Patrick Opolot	Kachumbala county	1
335	Paul Asaba	Kyaka north	1
336	Peter Ocen	Kole south	1
337	Pius Wakabi	Bugahya county	1
338	Robinah Nabbanja	Kibaale woman	1
339	Rose Ayaka	Maracha woman	1
340	Ruth Katushabe	Bukomansimbi north	1
341	Sam Byibesho	Kisoro municipality	1
342	Samuel Okwir	Moroto county	1
343	Sarah Wekomba	Bulambuli woman	1
344	Stephen Kangwagye	Bukanga county	1
345	Tabani Amin	Kibanda north	1
346	Tinkasiimire Bernarbas	Buyaga west	1
347	Tophace Kaahwa	Hoima woman	1
348	Turyahikayo Paula	Rubabo county	1
349	Zaitun Driwaru	Yumbe woman	1

sadabkk@observer.ug

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