Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among has asked for forgiveness from all Ugandans for the wrongdoings of Parliament, both knowingly and unknowingly, committing to a process of cleansing the legislature.
However, she emphasised that this process will take time and will not happen in a single day.
Speaker Among made the remarks while addressing guests during the end-of-year thanksgiving prayers held at Parliament.
Her plea for forgiveness comes at a time when Parliament has faced significant public criticism and scrutiny over allegations of corruption, nepotism, and the misuse of public funds.
Youth groups have organized peaceful protests demanding her resignation, reflecting the deep public discontent.
"This is the person ( Thomas Tayebwa, Deputy Speaker) I am mentoring for the 13th Parliament. As leaders of this Institution, if there is anything we could have done knowingly or unknowingly, or our predecessors could have caused whatever has happened to this institution, we are here to repent for and on behalf of the institution. I want to tell you, this is the most united Parliament, where you see the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of Parliament together, it is something to celebrate,” said Among.
Adding to the discourse, Former Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi praised the 11th Parliament for passing the controversial Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023, describing the practice of homosexuality as dehumanizing and undermining societal values.
Orombi argued that homosexuality is a western influence brought into Uganda through technology, which threatens the moral fabric of the nation, especially among young people.
He said that the young generation is being polluted, adding that the young generation is struggling.
"It breaks the very blessing God has given us in Genesis 1 when he told us to go multiply and fill the earth, subdue it, rule over the fish in the water and birds in the air. We are supposed to be multiplying, tilling the soil and making the soil positive to our needs and ruling over the fish and birds in the air, then how are we going to multiply?” said Orombi.
Orombi’s comments were part of a broader critique of moral decline, with Speaker Among echoing similar concerns.
Among emphasized the need for a thorough cleansing of the institution to align with the values accepted by God.
Among acknowledged the complexities of legislative work and the potential for unintended harm caused by controversial legislation.
“We know cleansing an institution or cleansing anybody doesn’t take a day, we must cleanse this institution for us to be in an institution that is accepted by God. As legislature, our work is complicated, when we do legislation, it may not go well with some other people, and we want to ask for forgiveness from those people whom we could have hurt in one way or the other,” said Among.