Opposition is Divided On “Perpetual” Boycott,LOP Mpuuga Insists On the Initial Stance

As plenary resumes tomorrow after two weeks of partial recess, the opposition in parliament is divided on whether to maintain the boycott of parliament sittings or call it off and take the battle back on the floor of the house. This is as some opposition lawmakers lose steam in the prolonged boycott while others insist that they can’t return to parliament with a raw deal.

Parliament sittings will resume tomorrow after two weeks of a partial recess that was announced by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa on 31st October following a stalemate in the house caused by an Opposition boycott of house sittings. As the plenary resumes tomorrow, the leader of the opposition says nothing has changed to convince them to return to the house.

Mpuuga noted that the number of meetings they have held with government agencies to discuss issues at hand have not borne fruits to convince them to end the boycott.

Addressing the media at parliament today, the Nyendo–Mukungwe legislator noted that there is also an item to do with human rights which has been placed on the order paper this week, they will not lure them to return to the house until they digest the contents in the government statement.

However, some opposition legislators are fed up with the perpetual boycott and want their leaders to change tactics. Dennis Onekalit Amere (MP Kitgum Municipality) of FDC says the time has come for opposition to return to the house and fight from within.  

NRM legislators have also extended an olive branch to their opposition counterparts, urging them to return to the house and fight from inside. They have pledged to join them to amplify their grievances.

The opposition has summarized their grievances in six points including the demand for the 18 missing persons, targeting and victimizing Muslims, detention without trial, violation of human rights in fishing communities, shrinking civic space, and trying civilians in the court martial. The opposition caucus is scheduled to meet on Wednesday to make a final decision.