Ssenyonyi Defends Employing Barbie Kyagulanyi Sister

Joel Ssenyonyi, the Leader of Opposition in Parliament (LOP), recently took the opportunity to clarify the appointment process of his new aide, Brenda Keijagye, who happens to be the sister-in-law of Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, famously known as Bobi Wine, the president of the National Unity Platform (NUP).

During a press briefing focused on addressing corruption concerns within Parliament, Ssenyonyi found himself explaining the circumstances surrounding Keijagye’s selection, responding to queries about the decision.

The process, Ssenyonyi detailed, initially involved consideration of two other candidates, one of them named Faisal. However, the first candidate encountered disqualification due to ongoing legal entanglements related to an incident in Kalangala. Despite recognizing the qualifications of this individual, Ssenyonyi underscored the importance of honoring the presumption of innocence, as articulated in Article 28(3) of the constitution, which led to the candidate’s exclusion.

The second candidate faced an unfair setback, according to Ssenyonyi, due to baseless assertions that their appointment might influence the electoral prospects of a specific Member of Parliament. This situation left Ssenyonyi with limited options, ultimately leading to the selection of Keijagye for the position.

Brenda Keijagye, who commenced her parliamentary journey in 2021 as a policy analyst alongside five others, previously served under the office of the former Leader of Opposition, Mathias Mpuuga. While her colleagues did not see their contracts renewed towards the end of Mpuuga’s tenure, Keijagye continued to diligently fulfill her role.

With a professional background in community psychology, Keijagye is married to Innocent Karuhanga Kabwisho. Kabwisho, an independent candidate in the 2021 elections vying for the Kashari North seat, faced defeat against the National Resistance Movement’s Basil Bataringaya Rwankwene.

Ssenyonyi’s detailed explanation sheds light on the rigorous and transparent process that culminated in Brenda Keijagye’s appointment as his aide. This narrative underscores the commitment of Ssenyonyi and his office to uphold principles of fairness, transparency, and adherence to constitutional mandates within the parliamentary framework.