KAMPALA – Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga has revealed that Parliament has set up a committee that will investigate sexual harassment allegations that were recently brought against some male MPs by their Personal Assistants.
The Speaker made the revelation during a meeting held between Parliament drivers and Administrators in which she revealed that the institution has set up a committee of senior women who will discuss the issue.
The female victims will also receive support on how to forge a way forward.
“They came to me this week, there was something I was planning to do to MPs in relation to that subject now I have combined, I have set up a Committee of senior women to discuss that issue and see how we can support the young people and staff,” Kadaga narrated adding that.
“They are about eight leaders who are coming to meet me so we can get some strategy.”
The Speaker’s remarks follow complaints raised by a section of female Personal Assistants who accused some legislators of sexual harassment.
The accused legislators had been threatening the female Assistants that they would be fired from their jobs.
When asked if she had received names of some of the MPs behind the despicable actions, Kadaga said no names have come up but revealed that the Committee will comprise of about eight members.
“I didn’t get the names, but I will get them if they are able to open up, I know we shall get the names.” She asserted.
However, a section of MPs are tasking the personal Assistants of Legislators to expose names of the MPs who sexually harass them as alleged instead of tainting the image of all MPs.
The MPs including Agnes Kuhinira and James Waluswaka said that it was about time these aggrieved women mentioned the MPs names instead of dragging all MPs into this category saying failure to bring forward any names taints the image of all MPs.
“From the information, we get from workplaces, yes, sexual harassment is an issue. We are calling upon those Personal Assistants to come out and give us those names those MPs who have been sexually harassing them,” said Kunihira who also doubles as Workers’ MP.
“We don’t agree with using a blanket statement to blackmail all MPs but we are calling all of them with immediate effect they should bring the names of those MPs who have been sexually harassing them.”
“Although Waluswaka commended the women for speaking up, he urged Parliament to expedite the probe the allegation and clear MPs and Parliament image as well.” She added.
“That allegation if it is true then it is very unfortunate. However, these Personal Assistants are around, they should come on record and they mention the names because people may think that all MPs are requesting for love from these people.
“For MPs, you can have women from the villages and constituency and get some love, why do you come here and take somebody’s love by force?”
