“We are so grateful, Madam Speaker. We are so grateful. We are so grateful, and the people of Kawempe North will be very happy, Madam Speaker.”
Elias Nalukoola, repeated these words, his hands clasped and leaning forward from his chair. In that state, he was as humble as his four-year-old daughter Alma, who accompanied him for the swearing in ceremony.
It had taken 13 days since Nalukoola’s election in Kawempe North, to take this gigantic step. Given the storm that had been whipped up by the National Unity Platform (NUP) over the perceived delay to swear in their MP, it had been anticipated that tough words would be exchanged in the speaker’s boardroom.
That was never the case. In the presence of Speaker Anita Among, Nalukoola and other NUP leaders wilted and exhibited their best behaviour.
Maybe the early morning downpour had taken the sting out of their voices. Perhaps the presence of Hajj Swaib Sserugooti, Nalukoola’s elderly father or wife, Shakira, instilled a sense of discipline into the NUP leaders.
Only once, during the 30-minute event, did the NUP leaders raise their voice. “People Power,” shouted Ethel Naluyima, the Wakiso Woman MP, after Nalukoola was sworn in, to which Joseph Ssewungu replied: “Our Power.”
“This is not a market,” barked Among as the two offending leaders, smiling sheepishly, took their seats.
Among said Nalukoola had been sworn in in the speaker’s boardroom, not the chambers, because Parliament is in recess.
“We did not want to have any more delay,” she said.
She said Nalukoola will be given all his benefits as MP. When she mentioned that the MP will be availed Shs 200 million for a car, NUP leaders clapped thunderously.
Nalukoola requested to be allocated more time after parliament resumes because for a long time the constituency has not had a representative. The speaker assured him this will be the case.
He smiled, the speaker moved out, and the function ended.
