By Aggrey Baba
Members of Parliament from Busoga region on Wednesday, September 3rd, joined the rising chorus of voices demanding justice for former Makerere University Business School (MUBS) principal, Prof. Wasswa Balunywa. His imprisonment has continued to stir anger across the region, and the debate has now found its way onto the floor of Parliament.
Iganga Municipality MP, Peter Mugema (Panadol), led the charge by asking Speaker Anita Among to rise and defend Balunywa. He explained that the professor is being targeted unfairly and described the case as outright witch-hunt. Mugema reminded Among that she had recently won in the NRM’s CEC elections, defeating former Speaker Rebecca Kadaga to become the party’s second vice chairperson (female). [With Kadaga once seen as the only voice of Busoga, and now displaced, Basoga are looking to Among to prove that she can be their new defender]. For him, this is the moment to show whether her claim of being the new Mama Busoga is more than just a political title.
Mugema first thanked Hon. Among, whom she also reminded of once serving as a lecturer at the Nakawa-based University, under Balunywa, for previously coming to his aid when his daughter fell ill and he lacked the means to cover her medical bills, a debt of gratitude he publicly acknowledged before turning his firepower onto the Balunywa case.
Bugiri Municipality MP, Asuman Basalirwa, also threw his weight behind the call, warning government against disrespecting institutions of justice. He pointed to the manner in which Balunywa’s charge sheet was controversially amended, saying such irregularities strengthen claims that the son of the Busoga soil’s trial is being used to settle other scores.
Basalirwa who is also one of Uganda’s finest lawyers maintained that this was another red flag showing the persecution of a respected son of Busoga.
The matter was, however, curtailed by Speaker Among, who informed the House that the case is already under consideration and would be dealt with in the right forums. Her response has not silenced growing demands from Basoga MPs and the entire community who believe that this case is bigger than just one man, but touches on the pride and political weight of Busoga.
To many Basoga, Balunywa’s imprisonment has become the litmus test for Anita Among. Having unseated Kadaga, who for years carried the mantle of Busoga’s voice, the Speaker now faces the expectation of showing whether she can truly defend the region in its time of trial.
The true strength of a shield is known in the heat of battle, a proverb goes, and for Hon. Moses Magogo’s sweetheart, this case may be the defining moment to prove her worth before the Basoga. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
