Museveni Orders Probe into Parliamentary Bus Theft by Speaker Among

Summary:

• President Museveni has ordered an investigation into allegations that Speaker Among stole a parliamentary bus for her school. However, an Internal Security Organisation (ISO) report refutes the claims, citing proper registration of the bus under the Anita Foundation.

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KAMPALA, (Examiner) – President Museveni has ordered the Internal Security Organisation (ISO) to investigate allegations that Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, stole a bus belonging to the House for her private school in Bukedea District. This directive comes amidst growing concerns sparked by social media reports, marking a departure from the president’s previous stance on such matters.

Unlike in the past, where the president may not have closely monitored social media reports, recent years have seen a shift in his approach. Allegations of corruption, human rights abuses, and governance issues that surface on social media platforms are now being brought to his attention with greater scrutiny.

The catalyst for this investigation was a tweet posted by Kakwenza Rukirabashaija on May 24, 2024, alleging that Speaker Among had stolen and rebranded a bus belonging to the Parliament of Uganda for use at her school. The tweet included photographs of the bus with its new registration plates.

The tweet quickly gained traction, accumulating hundreds of thousands of views, shares, likes, and quotes, underscoring the influential role of social media in shaping public discourse. However, the veracity of the allegations remained in question until further investigation was conducted.

In response to President Museveni’s directive, the Internal Security Organisation (ISO) conducted a thorough investigation into the matter. Their findings, outlined in a report dated May 29, 2024, refute the claims of bus theft by Speaker Among.

According to the ISO report, the bus in question is duly registered under the Anita Foundation, with registration dating back to October 10, 2023, at the Kampala Motor Vehicle Registration Unit. This information was corroborated by the Chief Licensing Officer of Motor Vehicles at the Ministry of Works and Transport.

Brigadier Charles Oluka, the head of ISO, further clarified that the bus owned by the Anita Foundation has distinct chassis and engine numbers from those of the Parliament’s buses. Documentation obtained from various government agencies provided concrete evidence supporting the rightful ownership of the bus by the Anita Foundation.

Additionally, the report highlighted the procurement history of Parliament’s buses, which were acquired in 2019, well before the registration of Among’s bus in 2023. These details further dispel any notion of theft or misappropriation.

While the investigation may have put to rest the allegations of bus theft, it underscores the importance of thorough and transparent investigations in addressing public concerns. In today’s digital age, where information spreads rapidly through social media, it is imperative to verify facts before jumping to conclusions.

As Uganda navigates these complex issues, the role of accountability and transparency in governance remains paramount. Moving forward, it is crucial for all stakeholders to uphold these principles to foster trust and confidence in public institutions.

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