Mathias Mpuuga, the Leader of the Opposition, has refuted claims of ongoing negotiations but confirmed a meeting with Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, during which he transmitted the list of Opposition demands to the government.
Tayebwa had previously stated that discussions were taking place between the opposition and the government to resolve the impasse in Parliament.
The opposition has vowed not to return to Parliament until concerns regarding human rights violations in public are addressed, as the participation of both sides is essential for a complete Parliament.
Tayebwa believes in resolving the impasse between the two sides in the House.
He has been actively engaged in numerous discussions with leaders from both sides, working towards a resolution. While some may view the progress as slow, Tayebwa assures that he is facilitating dialogue between the parties to encourage his colleagues to return to work.
He emphasised that the House is incomplete without all members present and expresses discomfort with the current situation.
Tayebwa urges his colleagues to rejoin so that they can engage in productive dialogues on important issues that impact the nation.
Mpuuga however defended the opposition’s decision to stay away from plenary sittings, emphasising that no amount of legislation can compensate for the deaths and kidnappings endured by the families of these individuals.
“There is no amount of legislation that can atone for murders and disappearances. Even if we pass bills on a daily basis, while the intended beneficiaries of these legislations are being abused and killed by the government, we would be legislating in vain and could never claim to be serious legislators,” stated Mpuuga.
He asserted that lawmaking and legislation must have consequences, and as opposition legislators, they cannot engage in inconsequential actions.
“I want to assure Ugandans that these demands are legitimate and constitute a top priority for us as the Opposition,”Mpuuga added.
Mpuuga also responded to Chris Baryomunsi, the Minister for ICT and National Guidance, who dismissed the Opposition walkouts as drama.
Mpuuga questioned the minister’s ability to guide his own family if he couldn’t guide the nation regarding the whereabouts of the 18 missing Ugandans.
“I wonder if he is capable of guiding his own family with that kind of attitude and seemingly limited knowledge of what matters to our people. He thinks what we are doing is drama, but as a government spokesperson, he fails to explain whether the government has delivered justice, accounted for, and compensated the victims of murder. The minister’s continuous ridicule while we make these demands reflects the attitude of the regime he serves,” Mpuuga remarked.
Tensions in Parliament escalated when the government presented a report on mistreatment of National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi. Chaos ensued, leading to heightened security measures and adjournments.
Mpuuga raised questions about Parliament’s response to these incidents and the government’s assertions regarding the whereabouts of the missing individuals.
He read a list of names representing the disappeared and expressed concerns about the victimisation of Muslims, detention without trial, and the military’s accountability.
He highlighted the case of over 500 NUP supporters arrested in 2021 on baseless charges, with some being released without trial after a year, while others remained in detention centers, including military courts, in violation of the constitution.