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Did I hear that some politicians have labeled Ugandans redundant and idle?
Reason: Giving Uganda’s representative in the Big Brother House, Gaetano Jjuuko Kaggwa a hero’s welcome!
On September 11, during the weekly cabinet briefing, the Minister of Ethics and Integrity, Tim Lwanga Mutekanga said welcoming Gaetano back in such a style, was a sign of redundancy.
Adding to the minister’s voice were MPs Alice Alaso (Soroti Women), Patrick Amuriat (Kumi), Teopista Ssentongo (Workers), Anifa Kawooya (Sembabule Women), Suleiman Madaada (Bbale County) and, Capt. Steven Basaliza (Burahya) and Okumu Reagan (Aswa).
Much as I do not agree with Gaetano having sex in the full glare of cameras, I do not see why a minister and MPs are making a big deal out of welcoming Gaetano in style.
The politicians might not be concerned about Gaetano eroding morals, but wanted a little publicity. After all, not very many people know of a minister called Tim Lwanga. So, when he talks about Gaetano and the press picks his remarks, he would have got the much sought after publicity.
I believe if Lwanga took a stroll through Owino market, less than 30 people would recognise him, let alone tell the ministry he heads.
As for the MPs, save for Mr Okumu, who knows or has ever heard about the rest?
Mr Madaada was more known as an actor than he is now as MP.
It was good to hear some of the MPs speak out because despite being a veteran journalist, I had not heard many of them quoted until then. Now I know these MPs exist.
And is Gaetano the most burning issue for the MPs?
Instead of concentrating on how to end the 17 year-old Kony war, poverty alleviation, Universal Secondary Education, or the bad roads, here they are wasting time discussing Gaetano.
How many bills have not been passed because of lack of quorum? How many times have MPs signed for sitting allowance and vanished from the house?
Is cheating the taxpayer not worse than Gaetano having sex on television?
Probably the only difference is that Gaetano did it before cameras. How many MPs have been found to be cheating on their spouses anyway?
In fact, when former Ethics and Integrity minister, Miria Matembe showed concern over immorality in Parliament and threatened to expose the culprits, many of them got scared. A few dared Matembe to produce evidence. So why the hypocrisy, dear MPs?
Besides, many MPs have been dragged to court to answer charges of failing to care for their families. Is this what MPs want to call moral uprightness?
Gaetano’s actions in the Big Brother House are not worse than living off the taxpayer like MPs do.
Why should these MPs try to be more Catholic than the Pope when some of them even engage in fist-fights and funny exchanges quite regularly? Recently, like nursery kids, two “honourable” men did the “unhonourable” when they threw sugar bowls at each other at Parliament.
Another “honourable” convened a news conference at which he vowed to make a pass at a married minister! Are all these not acts of idle people?
One would be excused for concluding that either the MPs wanted to get publicity by bashing Gaetano’s welcome or they are just jealous that the guy is more popular than they are.
Gaetano has made a tremendous contribution to the promotion of tourism in Uganda, something the MPs now condemning him are unable to do.
Gaetano arrived with tourists like Big Brother presenter Mark Pilgrims and former fellow housemates Abby Plaatjes and Kenya’s Alexander Kasembeli Holi. And more are yet to visit.
That is where I commend MPs Loyce Bwambale (Kasese women), Francis Mukama (Kigulu North), Margaret Zziwa (Kampala women), Rex Aachila (Jie) and Dan Kidega (Northern youth) for applauding Gaetano contribution to tourism.
The people feel they have been betrayed by politicians and thus find consolation in the Gaetanos of this world.
People are tired of governments that have failed to deliver, of wars that never end, of bad soccer administrators. Going to Entebbe Airport in thousands to welcome Gaetano was a sign of resentment toward politicians and what they represent.
No politician, including President Yoweri Museveni, can bring Kampala to a standstill like Gaetano did. Most MPs are not known beyond their constituencies, so they feel threatened by Gaetano’s popularity, not only in Uganda but Africa and the rest of the world.
The author is a reporter of The Monitor. | 
