Outgoing (and most likely incoming) Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa has publicly apologized to Ugandans over what he described as leadership failures within Parliament during the tenure of Speaker Anita Among and himself. The apology should have ideally come from Anita Among but she is facing an investigation and has been forced out of the speaker race.
Speaking candidly about the conduct and direction of Parliament after securing his ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) endorsement to retain his deputy speaker job, Tayebwa admitted that the leadership at some point lost control and failed to exercise restraint in the management of the institution.
“I think there is where we had a lapse as leaders and I want to take this opportunity to apologize to the nation on behalf of the leadership of parliament because there is where we had a lapse, there is where we didn’t put some brake, we went on a pedestal and we went beyond,” Tayebwa said.
The Ruhinda North legislator acknowledged that the leadership may have overstepped in certain decisions and actions that attracted criticism from the public, civil society, and political observers during the life of the 11th Parliament.
Tayebwa, however, noted that the focus should now shift toward rebuilding public confidence in Parliament instead of engaging in blame games.
He expressed optimism that the institution can recover and regain its credibility within a short period of time through collective effort and reforms.
“I really want to apologize to the nation over what went wrong and I do believe that working together — and without blaming anyone but focusing on where we are going, we are going to change that institution in the shortest possible period,” he added.
His remarks come at a time when Parliament has faced mounting public scrutiny over allegations of corruption, extravagant expenditure, abuse of office, and controversial decisions involving top parliamentary leaders.
The apology also comes amid intensifying investigations targeting Anita Among and several individuals close to her over alleged abuse of office and unexplained wealth.
In recent weeks, security agencies reportedly seized luxury vehicles linked to the Speaker, including high-end SUVs that investigators believe may be relevant to ongoing inquiries.
Security operatives have also carried out coordinated searches at several properties associated with Among in both Kampala and Wakiso districts. Sources familiar with the investigations say the operations were aimed at retrieving documents, electronic devices and other materials considered important to the probe.
Investigators further extended the searches to Among’s residence in Bukedea district, where security personnel reportedly spent several hours conducting an extensive operation before leaving the premises with unspecified items. The search attracted attention from residents and political supporters in the area.
The crackdown did not stop at the Speaker’s residences. Authorities also searched the home of Among’s parents as part of broader efforts to trace assets and establish links connected to the investigations.
In a related development, security teams are said to have searched the home of Among’s personal assistant, with investigators believed to be examining financial records, communication devices and documents that could aid the ongoing inquiries.
It is said that guns from Israel were found in the homes of Anita Among, who has since been forced to withdraw from the speaker race, on promises of another government job and assurance of not being thrown in prison. (See Details Here, There and Over There).
Meanwhile, Lydia Wanyoto and other NRM MPs who stepped down from the speaker and deputy speaker races in favour of Jacob Oboth Oboth and Thomas Tayebwa have reportedly been promised minister jobs and other offers. (See Details Here, There and Over There).
