Parliament has secretly asked UCC for all my communication details, says Spire

Makerere Don and renowned activist Jimmy Spire Ssentongo has revealed that parliament has secretly asked UCC to deliver all his communication details, including tracing the people he speaks to, what, when, and where he stays at the time of day/night along with his movements.

Ssentongo believes that the work that has already started may include intentions to harm him, saying that may accept to be used in evil selfish schemes, but whatever they are doing,” I am aware because there are many people in there that are not happy with the trend that they are taking.”

The Makerere don who has spared no effort to show Ugandans that all is not well in Parliament through the #UgandaParliamentExhibition campaign, explained that many people appreciate his cause in demanding accountability and responsive service.

“They pay taxes too and wish to be served better. Whether the law gives Parliament and UCC that power over the people they should be representing/serving may not matter now. But it will matter someday – even if I won’t be there,” he said.

“It is unfortunate that this is how they respond to public demands for them to account to taxpayers/ citizens, whom they purport to represent. How we got to this level of impunity and abuse of citizens and how we get out of it should concern us all – regardless of political affiliation,” he said.

“The system of corruption that has been built in Uganda,” Ssentongo asserted, is not sustainable and not safe for anyone in the country, including those currently benefiting from it.

He warned parliamentarians that they are riding a tiger and are thrilled by its speed, but it will eat them soon.

“Sorting Spire, or any other individual who is demanding for what is truly theirs, is not going to solve the problem. Even if you kill Spire today, it will only multiply Spires and anger. More aggressive Spires will rise to avenge. Even if Spire keeps quiet, it won’t stop the brewing anger, facilitated by your arrogance, greed, abuse of citizens’ goodwill, extravagance, and beastly indifference. Address the pains of the people instead of seeking to gag and destroy them,” he noted.

Ssentongo further highlighted that his death would be unfortunate to those who care about him and what he does but he won’t be there to feel it.

“There are only two possibilities for all of us: You are either alive or dead. So please, if you choose, shoot and feel good. It doesn’t require many bullets to stop a heart. UCC, help them hold the gun. Much of what I wanted to do here; I suppose I have done it. And I’m consoled by the natural assurance that many more will always pick the baton and do much more. No human can stop time,” said Ssentongo.

Last week, the Leader of Opposition in Parliament (LOP), Joel Ssenyonyi, tasked Speaker Anita Among to respond to all the corruption allegations raised against Parliament if the institution is to live true to its vision of being people-centered as she has always claimed.

Chris Obore, Director, of Communications and Public Affairs, Parliament of Uganda immediately rubbished this call by the Opposition saying the Parliament does not account through the press.

Following weeks of social media allegations based on the ongoing “Uganda Parliament Exhibition”, the House has been thrown into public scrutiny over the way the top leadership, especially the Speaker’s Office and that of the Clerk to Parliament, spends money. The Parliamentary Commission has allocated almost a billion shillings in the 2024/25 financial year budget, and there is a public outcry that, if not checked, would abuse taxpayers’ money.