(Kampala) – Opposition Leader Joel Ssenyonyi has criticized recent actions in Parliament, alleging that the government used excessive force to silence opposition members. Ssenyonyi, MP for Nakawa West and spokesperson for the National Unity Platform (NUP), claimed that Parliament officials chased media out of the house, switched off the chamber lights, and deployed security personnel to physically confront Members of Parliament.
According to Ssenyonyi, Speaker Anita Among and President Museveni’s government aim to stifle opposition voices. He argued that the actions taken in Parliament are not just an attack on opposition MPs but also a direct affront to the millions of Ugandans who are part of the coffee value chain, whom he says the opposition represents in this struggle.
“These actions reflect a greater battle,” Ssenyonyi stated. “It’s not just our fight as MPs but the fight of the people. The coffee industry supports millions, and the government’s suppression of our voices is ultimately a suppression of theirs as well.”
The recent confrontation in Parliament, which saw opposition MPs forcibly removed and the media reportedly blocked from documenting events, has sparked wider controversy. Ssenyonyi called it a turning point, emphasizing that the opposition will continue to resist what they view as government overreach, both in Parliament and in broader national matters affecting Ugandan citizens.
Political commentator Jim Spire Ssentongo has also raised concerns about the growing disregard for transparency and democracy in Uganda, particularly in the way the government is handling parliamentary proceedings. Ssentongo, who often critiques the regime asked how events could unfold under the full glare of cameras without public outrage, referring to the government’s increasing control over the country’s political processes.
Ssentongo noted that if such actions can occur openly in Parliament, it is difficult to believe that secret votes or elections are being conducted fairly. He criticized the government’s authoritarian attitude toward its citizens, implying that the regime believes it can act without consequence.
| Alleged Actions in Parliament | Reported Impact |
|---|---|
| Media removed from the House | No coverage of parliamentary proceedings |
| Chamber lights turned off | Alleged attempts to obscure events from the public |
| Security and operatives deployed | Opposition MPs reportedly confronted physically |
| Speaker and President accused of repression | Claim of undermining opposition and citizen voices |
Security Forces Raid Parliament, Evict MPs Over Coffee Bill Protests – Video
Chamber lights turned off – Video
MP Shamim Malende violently thrown out of chambers – Video
