By Mulengera ReportersMoments after the newly reappointed LoP Joel Senyonyi had thanked the new Speaker Jacob Oboth-Oboth for insisting that the Clerk to Parliament prepares a status report on the stalled expansion project of Parliament within two weeks, it was proclaimed that MPs recognize the fact that one of their own Matia Kasaija had on Thursday clocked 82 years. [Oboth-Oboth, who is determined to operate in a very transparent way because this is people’s business and not his personally, promised to share the contents of the update the Clerk will give him with the MPs during a subsequent plenary session. This is prudent because the people of Uganda, who are already celebrating Oboth-Oboth’s leadership style on social media, have a right to know.] Kasaija stood up and appreciated the Speaker for acknowledging his birthday and going to communicate the same to his workmates the MPs. In a rare show of unity, legislators from both sides of the aisle burst out singing happy birthday for him. Kasaija danced and bowed his head down to register his appreciation for the gesture. As Oboth-Oboth prepared to leave (having adjourned the house to the first Thursday in June when the President will deliver his state of the nation address), Kasaija signaled that he wanted to say something to the honorable members who were already standing up and preparing to see off the Speaker. He sarcastically demanded that mere singing for him wasn’t enough and demanded that fellow MPs (he is now back bench as Buyanja County MP) consider taking him out and buying for him a drink. There was thunderous laughter in the entire house as Kasaija comically made his demands known. Joel Senyonyi, who the Speaker made it clear will have to attend all the Parliamentary Commission-related business as he is mandated to under the law as opposed to being excluded as was the case during Anita Among’s days, thanked Oboth-Oboth for leading well thus far, even when this was just his first day. Oboth-Oboth impressed MPs and Ugandans online over the patience, maturity, inclusiveness and respectfulness with which he handled his first sitting and treated the people’s representatives. This was contrasted with Anita Among’s days when the Speaker used to talk over MPs, and sometimes belittle/insult them, as they endeavored to make their submissions. The atmosphere of fear, uneasiness and powerlessness, which reigned during the days of the former Speaker, seemed to all have disappeared as legislators looked at the future with renewed hope and optimism. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).