In a recent statement, Mr. Frank Gashumba, Vice Chairperson of the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) for the Central Region, raised concerns about a disturbing trend in Uganda’s political landscape. Gashumba expressed his frustration with Members of Parliament (MPs) who, despite being elected to represent their constituents in the nation’s legislature, fail to contribute to parliamentary debates. Instead, he observed, they choose to hold press interviews in the corridors or verandah of parliament, where they make headlines without offering substantive contributions on the floor.
“There is a growing trend which is wrong and unacceptable. Can you imagine that there are MPs who never debate or raise any issue on the floor of parliament, only to hold press interviews in parliamentary corridors and the verandah of parliament!?” Gashumba remarked. He questioned why the media provides coverage to such MPs, accusing them of “conning” the very people who elected them by projecting a false sense of activity through these media appearances.
Gashumba called on journalists to prioritize interviews with MPs who actively participate in parliamentary debates, citing individuals like Ssemujju Nganda as examples of representatives who engage meaningfully in discussions. According to Gashumba, these MPs deserve media attention because they contribute to the legislative process and help clarify issues for the public. He further suggested that Luganda translations during interviews could make parliamentary debates more accessible to Ugandans who might struggle with the official language, English.
“Serious journalists should only conduct interviews with people like Ssemuju Nganda and others who contribute to the parliamentary debates on the floor of parliament, to allow them to expound more or clarify,” Gashumba stressed. “Otherwise, giving interviews to MPs who don’t contribute on the floor of parliament is to encourage non-performance by giving mileage to non-performers.”
Gashumba’s remarks shine a spotlight on the media’s role in shaping public perception of parliamentary performance. He emphasized that MPs are elected to represent their voters in parliamentary sessions, not in the corridors or verandah of parliament. His critique comes as a call for more accountability from elected officials and the media alike, urging both to prioritize genuine legislative action over superficial publicity.
Gashumba’s comments reflect broader frustrations with Uganda’s political scene, where some MPs appear to escape scrutiny while failing to deliver on their core mandate—representing their constituents in parliamentary debates. By encouraging the media to focus on the real work being done on the floor of parliament, Gashumba hopes to promote greater transparency and accountability within Uganda’s democracy.
