Kampala — The performance rating of Members of Parliament by the African Leadership Institute released on Wednesday has attracted mixed reactions from the electorate, with most saying the results were accurate.

A cross-section of voters interviewed by The New Vision said the scores would have an impact on their voting, while others insisted that the rating would not affect their choice in the forthcoming elections.

The electorate also questioned the criteria used by the institute to arrive at the scores, pointing out that while some MPs performed well in the House, their performance at the constituency level was poor.

The exemplary performance of certain MPs like Tororo Woman MP Grace Oburu may have excited her, but her voters are questioning her performance at constituency level.

"I don't remember her having audience with any women group in the municipality, let alone extending moral or financial support to them," said Winnie Akol, a councillor in charge of women affairs in Bison slum.

Most voters were candid in their response on those who performed poorly.

Jane Turimurugyendo, a resident of Mpala in Kyegegwa district, did not mince words in relation to the performance of Kyaka county (NRM) MP Badhul Katongole.

"I suspect Kantongole has never been in Parliament. This is a clear indication that he has been sleeping or doing his own things in Kampala, but not representing the people of Kyaka who sent him to Parliament," she said. Katongole scored E in plenary, committee and constituency.

"Those whose names have not appeared among the top performers should come back and join the community in farming," said Bob Okodi, a farmer from Alebtong district.

The voters warned that they would vote out under-performing MPs.

"It has made us know that those top MPs should not be removed from Parliament because they are doing the right thing," said Patrick Awio, a businessman in Lira town.

Diana Kyazike of Bukooma trading centre in Luuka county, Luuka district, said: "Actually, there is little to show for MP Meddie Mulumba's four years in Parliament apart from organising a Meddie soccer cup extravaganza as his constituents wallow in abject poverty. I believe a serious contender would replace him in 2011."

In Manafwa district, Erinah Nandudu, a resident, said the scorecard was accurate on Sarah Natalisire, the Manafwa Woman MP, rated as one of the worst performing MPs. She scored F in all areas.

"She deserved it. Since the beginning of last year, Natalisire has been rare in the district."

The voters in Busoga expressed varying views on the performance of their parliamentarians. MPs, Daudi Migereko, James Kubeketerya, Milton Muwuma, received thumbs-up for supporting education, farmers groups, health centres and lobbying for power supply in the region.

"As a former teacher (Kubeketerya), he has often encouraged school attendance. A proportion of the constituency development fund has been used to improve school infrastructure and places of worship. If it was awarding marks, he would get 89%," said Albert Ikoba, Ntafungirwa village, Bunya East constituency.

Faisal Mutumba of Jinja West challenged his MP, Harry Kasigwa (FDC), to show what he has done for his constituents over the 10 years he has been representing them.

Several voters in the West Nile region expressed dismay at the performance of their MPs.

"Having one of the worst performing MP from Maracha (Alex Onzima Aadroa) shows clearly that our MPs are sleeping. That should be a signal to the people in West Nile to be careful in electing their leaders next year," said Denis Oguzu of the West Nile Rural Development Agency.

Robert Ogen Utera from Zombo district expressed disappointment towards Okoro MP Simon D'Ujanga, saying he had done little towards the construction of the Nyagak power project.

Female voters in the Acholi sub-region were excited that their female MPs performed better than their male counterparts. "The female MPs like Betty Aol Ocan of Gulu and Judith Akello Franka of Pader district performed better than their male counterparts this year," Acellam said.

They agreed with the fact that their MPs were rated as worst performers at constituency level. Some people, however, questioned the criterion that was used to arrive at the scores.

In Pallisa district, Joseph Okiria, a resident of Pallisa town council, disputed the score given to the Pallisa Woman MP, Jeniffer Namuyangu. Namuyangu scored E in plenary and F in constituency. "In a week, she may be here about twice. I disagree with those findings. Namuyangu is the best performing MP Pallisa has ever had," Okiria said.

Voters in Mbarara district disagreed with the results, saying their MPs did not deserve the marks awarded to them.

"We don't trust the scorecard because there is no transparency in it. Most of our MPs were given high scores they did not deserve,' said Amon Mugisha, a bodaboda operator.

In Tororo, the majority of the community felt that Sanjay Tanna (NRM) and Geofrey Ekanya (FDC) put up more exemplary performances in Parliament than was reflected in the scores. "Sanjay's generousity is unmistakable. He has tangible projects on the ground," said William Ogwang, who operates a retail shop in Tororo town.

"He (Ekanya) may not be doing much on the ground, but whenever he has taken the floor of Parliament, he has raised issues of national concern, which reflect the social challenges of the community," said James Okurut, a teacher. Most people from the Rwenzori region expressed disappointment with the performance of MP Nulu Byamukama, who scored F in all areas.

Seemingly, the scorecard raised no fuss among the electorate in Teso, whose voting pattern is usually in favour of the opposition. "Much as the institute has come up with its scorecard ratings, voters have their own scorecards," said John Aremu, a resident of Soroti town.

Netherlands ambassador Jeroen Verheul, who sponsored the study, said: "These are large changes and support a willingness of voters to hold MPs accountable for their actions. They are not simply willing to assume that MPs will do the right thing, but will reward and sanction their MPs based on performance."

The Africa Leadership Institute said its scorecard project is aimed at helping Ugandans make informed choices during elections. The body has, however, received criticism from several MPs who believe the scorecard is inaccurate and does not reflect what happens in Parliament.

Compiled by: Barbara Among, Frank Mugabi, George Bita, Hope Mafaranga, Moses Nampala, Chris Ocowun, Patrick Okino, Dradenya Amazia, Abdulkarim Ssengendo, Daniel Edyegu and David Enyaku.