The Speaker of Uganda’s Parliament, Hon Anita Among has exonerated the Makerere University School of Law over the controversial exam the school set for its students. This caught the public eye after the University Chancellor Barnabas Nawangwe wrote a letter summoning the School’s lecturers.
He wanted to find out if it met the expected academic requirements and also if it was ethical. Many people since then have been saying that the school’s lecturers are getting intimidated and besides this is suppression of different freedoms granted under the constitution.
The paper apparently was about the infamous service awards including millions of shillings that was distributed by the parliament backbench amongst themselves. According to Hon Anita Among, there is absolutely nothing wrong with what the School did.
She added that she finds this as a suppression of the constitution. This is because it provides for all the different rights in the country that the University is trying to frustrate. The Speaker also said that as Parliament, they welcome public scrutiny. This is because it is the foundation of Parliament.
Additionally, the Speaker said that they are welcome to the students studying about the unfolding of this particular case in parliament. On top of that, they will even assist them where necessary so that they can form their own opinions.
“As Parliament, we unreservedly submit to public scrutiny, which we believe is the pillar upon which a strong, representative legislature is founded. I, therefore, find no fault in the exam set for the students and I believe our duty will be to give the students unbiased context on what exactly happened during the sitting in issue, so that, as academicians, they form their own opinion on the conduct of public affairs and how they will improve them when it is their turn to be in charge of the management of our society. Let the children learn.”
