Adeke: No Thanks for Government Doing Its Job

Soroti District Woman Representative Anna Adeke Ebaju has voiced strong opposition to a parliamentary motion intended to thank President Yoweri Museveni for his State of the Nation Address. Adeke argues that such a motion is misplaced, as it attributes praise to the government for fulfilling its fundamental constitutional obligations.

During parliamentary debate, Adeke emphasized that actions like protecting citizens and facilitating the safe return of Ugandans from dangerous foreign situations are core responsibilities, not acts of generosity. “Protecting citizens, including evacuating Ugandans from danger abroad, is a basic duty of government. It is not an act of charity,” she stated.

Adeke believes that Parliament’s primary role should be to hold the government accountable and demand concrete solutions for service delivery shortcomings, rather than engaging in acts of appreciation for performing its duties. She suggested that thanking the government for its basic functions lowers the standard of accountability.

“When we start thanking government for doing its duty, we lower the bar of accountability. Ugandans pay taxes, they deserve protection, they deserve services. That is not a privilege, it is a right,” Adeke asserted. She urged her colleagues to consider shifting the focus from thanking the government to recognizing the taxpayers who fund its operations.

Her perspective, which highlights the rights of citizens and the accountability of government, was met with mixed reactions. While some opposition members supported her stance on holding the government to account, members on the government side defended the tradition of using such motions to acknowledge the President’s policy direction and governmental progress.

The debate is set to continue as Parliament deliberates on the priorities and achievements presented in the President’s address.

Source: Nile Post