The decision to boycott the parliamentary regional sitting in Gulu City has exposed the declining power of the Leader of the Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi.
On record, out of the current 109 opposition MPs, over 80 are in attendance and fully participating in the plenary sessions that kicked off on Wednesday and were chaired by the Speaker, Annet Anita Among.
The opposition MPs in attendance are from the NUP, UPC, and DP, among others.
Dr. Abed Bwanika (NUP), the MP of Kimanya Kabonera County, welcomed the regional sitting, saying it aims to bring the parliament to the people and focus on pressing matters affecting the Northern region.
“Ssenyonyi is driven by incompetence, and there is nothing much I can expect from him since he is being led by a fellow blind person who actually cannot articulate issues; they all are the same,” Bwanika said.
MP Michael Kakembo of Entebbe Municipality (NUP) said they are elected to represent their voters; therefore, boycotting parliamentary sittings is an illegal act and against the people.
“I don’t agree with LOP’s decision; he is a representative of all opposition, and that includes all people who do not support the government. As leaders, we need to put our personal feelings aside and work for the good of our people,” Kakembo said.
The MPs criticized the LOP’s directives and argued that their mandates are to stifle individual MPs’ ability to represent their constituents effectively.
“We must be where our people are. Ignoring their needs is not an option,” said an Opposition MP in attendance.
Other MPs in attendance and fully participating in the plenary sessions include Bashir Kazibwe Mbaziira (Kawempe South, Kagabo Twaha Bukoto West, and many more).
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni addressed the Thursday sitting and called for massive production by the local people to spur wealth creation.