In the past few days, an alleged ranking list indicating the performance of Members of Parliament has been circulating on social and print media basing on the number of times an MP has spoken on the floor.
While the intention behind such assessments is commendable, it is essential to recognize that the current ranking system (if this is the official performance measurement system our Legislative Arm of Government uses), lacks the depth and precision required for a serious performance measurement tool, especially for one of the three major arms of Government.
I am personally not convinced by this list because I find it too simplistic and too lacking to provide proposer accountability to the electorate on the performance of their elected representatives.
To address this concern and provide a more robust and comprehensive approach to evaluating the performance of MPs, i wish to advise Parliament of Uganda, the Government and all other stakeholders to consider implementing a Balanced Scorecard.
The Balanced Scorecard is a strategic management performance metric commonly used in the business world to assess and enhance internal operations, ultimately leading to improved external outcomes.
This framework measures past performance data and offers valuable feedback for making informed decisions in the future.
In light of the diverse roles played by Members of Parliament, a more comprehensive tool should be developed. This tool should encompass four major areas of parliamentary responsibilities: Representation, Legislation, Budget Appropriation/Approval, and Oversight.
Representation:
MPs should be evaluated on their ability to effectively represent the interests and concerns of their constituents. This includes assessing their engagement with their electorate, consultation efforts, and responsiveness to constituents’ needs and concerns.
Legislation:
The effectiveness of an MP in proposing, debating, and supporting legislation should be a key component of the assessment. Their contribution to shaping and improving the legal framework of the country should be quantified and considered.
Budget Appropriation/Approval:
MPs play a crucial role in the allocation and approval of government budgets. Their competence in scrutinizing budget proposals, ensuring fiscal responsibility, and aligning budgets with national priorities should be evaluated.
Oversight:
MPs are responsible for overseeing government programs and ensuring they are effectively implemented. Their involvement in monitoring and evaluating government projects, as well as their commitment to visiting their constituencies for on-ground assessments, should be part of the assessment.
A well-structured Balanced Scorecard, customized to the specific context of Ugandan Parliament, could provide a more accurate and fair evaluation of MPs’ performance. This approach would benefit not only the MPs themselves but also the electorate, the government, and development partners who rely on parliamentary decisions and actions.
It is essential to move away from simplistic rankings that may not reflect the multifaceted roles of MPs accurately. A Balanced Scorecard for Members of Parliament should be a priority addition to the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) and performance measurement systems within the Ugandan Parliament.
In my opinion, the current ranking system for MPs in Uganda may fall short of providing a genuine assessment of their performance.
A more comprehensive and strategic approach, such as the Balanced Scorecard, can offer a fair and accurate representation of the contributions made by Members of Parliament.
It is time to prioritize the development and implementation of a robust evaluation tool to ensure that parliamentary performance is measured effectively and meaningfully.
The writer intends to vie for the Ndorwa East MP seat in 2026