Tempers reached boiling point in Uganda’s Parliament yesterday in a scene reminiscent of a chaotic marketplace, as the government attempted to table a staggering 39 Bills. The atmosphere was charged with tension as frustrated Opposition lawmakers, made a valiant attempt to block the legislative onslaught, accusing the Executive of playing fast and loose with the rules.
The spark that ignited the powder keg was the government’s audacious move to introduce the Constitutional (Amendment) Bill, 2023, despite widespread calls for comprehensive reforms through a Constitutional Review Commission. It seems the government was eager to jump the gun, much to the chagrin of its political rivals.
For years, the Opposition has been banging on about the need for changes to the 1995 Constitution, hoping to spruce up Uganda’s political landscape. Last June, they even launched consultations to gather ideas for constitutional amendments, only to find their efforts sidelined by the government’s impulsive actions.
The promise of a Constitutional Review Commission, like a mirage in the desert, remains elusive, leaving lawmakers parched for meaningful reform. Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka attempted to douse the flames by assuring Parliament that the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs would provide a briefing in due course. But his words did little to soothe the restless spirits in the chamber.
Meanwhile, behind the smoke and mirrors of parliamentary drama, more than 2,200 government employees face the grim prospect of losing their jobs as part of a grand plan to merge various public agencies. The government claims this move will save a wage bill of Shs1 trillion annually, but critics smell a rat and suspect it’s just a ploy to wield the axe on dissenting voices.
As the government brandished its arsenal of Bills, including the National Tribunal Bill, 2023, and the Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Bill, 2024, Opposition lawmakers saw red. Bugiri Municipality MP Asuman Basalirwa, flying the flag for Jeema, cried foul over the blatant disregard for due process. He accused the government of playing favorites, allowing its own pet projects to sail through while stifling dissenting voices.
Former Leader of the Opposition, Mathias Mpuuga, raised an eyebrow and a pertinent question: what about the promises of a consolidated Bill? It seems like everyone’s asking for the whole loaf, but the government keeps offering crumbs.
Kira Municipality MP Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda lamented the lack of consultation, calling for a time-out to catch our breath and think things over. But Speaker Anita Among, wielding her gavel like a scepter, reminded everyone that time waits for no one in the hallowed halls of Parliament.
Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi made a plea for clemency, urging the Executive to spare some of the agencies marked for the chopping block. “Give them a second chance,” he implored, like a knight in shining armor riding to the rescue of damsels in distress.
As the dust settled, Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka dropped a bombshell: 73 proposals for constitutional amendments are gathering dust in the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs. It seems like everyone’s got ideas, but nobody’s willing to take the plunge and make them a reality.
In the end, amidst the chaos and confusion, one thing became abundantly clear: Uganda’s political landscape is like a game of musical chairs, with everyone scrambling for a seat at the table while the music plays on. And as the government tables more Bills and the Opposition cries foul, the dance continues, with no end in sight. Welcome to the circus, folks.
