Speaker Anita Among Bows To Opposition Boycott – Tasks Government To Do This Immediately

Throughout October and November, the opposition consistently boycotted parliamentary sessions, demanding government accountability for the forceful disappearance of individuals, particularly opposition supporters.

Supporters aligned with Bobi Wine’s National Unity Platform (NUP) have been arbitrarily picked up by Hiace vans, colloquially referred to as drones, with some returning later while others vanish without a trace, even after two years, not being held in known prisons

Citing the severe human rights violations and lack of satisfactory government explanations, opposition lawmakers chose to abstain from plenary sessions. Despite threats from Speaker Anita Among, led by the defiant Leader of the Opposition in parliament, Mathias Mpuuga, opposition MPs remained resolute, deciding to prolong their boycott.

Anita Among went a step further, prohibiting opposition legislators from participating in committee sittings unless present in the house for regular parliamentary business.

Recognizing the ineffectiveness of threats to end the opposition boycott, Speaker Anita Among has taken a new approach. She directed the Executive to address the human rights concerns raised by the opposition by presenting a comprehensive report on the issues.

This directive follows the expiration of the 30-day period granted by the then-presiding officer, Thomas Tayebwa.Anita Among stressed the importance of acknowledging and proactively responding to the issues raised for the sake of fostering transparency.

She reminded, “As you may recall, on the 19th October 2023, the Presiding Officer [Thomas Tayebwa] granted the Executive 30 days to respond to matters raised by the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament regarding various Human Rights Issues.” Among Said

‘’While the 30 days elapsed on the 19th of November, I received notification of the absence of the relevant Ministers. I accordingly differed the presentation of the Statement. I now take this opportunity to direct the Executive to cause the presentation of the Statement tomorrow. All Members are accordingly notified.’’ She Added.

Taking this opportunity, she directed the Executive to present the comprehensive report the following day, emphasizing that all Members were duly notified. The anticipation now rests on whether Museveni’s government will provide convincing explanations regarding the whereabouts of the disappeared opposition supporters