Museveni accuses former Speaker Kadaga of nepotism

President Yoweri Museveni has spoken out about a disagreement he had with the former speaker of the 9th and 10th Parliaments, Hon Rebecca Kadaga about nepotism.

Museveni recounted over the weekend how he warned Mrs Kadaga -- who currently serves as the Minister for EAC Affairs -- against appointing her own staff in top administrative positions at Parliament.

A similar issue was also happening with the Judiciary at the time according to the President.

Speaking at the launch of the 21st edition of the Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSA) games in Bukedea District yesterday, Museveni said he cautioned Kadaga of the potential consequences of micromanaging the parliamentary administration.

“The parliament under the leadership of Kadaga and others wanted to recruit their own parliamentary staff and I did not like that idea,” Museveni said.

“At my home, I am the head of the family. I provide so many things, but I have never stepped in the kitchen; that is the province of Mama Janet. If I keep going to the kitchen and disrupting the cooks, if the food gets burnt, I will be the one to blame.”

President Yoweri Museveni and former House Speaker Rebecca Kadaga

President Museveni said he urged Kadaga and the Judiciary leadership to allow the Ministry of Public Service to hire the administrative staff, which they refused.

“We told them, why don’t you use the people from public service so that if anything goes wrong, it is the civil service to answer because they are specialists in money and procurement.”

“But I decided not to fight them and in the end, they realised that there was a big problem because when mistakes are made by the people you appointed, then your name starts coming up.”

In contrast, President Museveni said the 11th parliament under Anita Among has not had such issues.

“I am happy with what Anita has done. There is now less friction between parliament and the executive and she is very active in the constituency here,” he added

This Museveni said was the reason he defended Mrs Among from “people who wanted to kill her.”

“I said, If I don't kill those who are spreading sectarianism, why should I kill this one who is supporting development?”