The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, has announced that discussions are taking place to address a political deadlock, which has led to opposition lawmakers leaving Parliament on multiple occasions. The Leader of Opposition (LOP), Mathias Mpuuga, walked out of the Parliament in protest last Thursday and declared that he would not return unless seven conditions, including the release of political prisoners, were met.
However, the opposition briefly returned to Parliament on Tuesday to pay tribute to the late former Minister Henry Kyemba, a move considered fitting by Mpuuga.
During the plenary session on Wednesday, October 25, 2023, Deputy Speaker Tayebwa indicated that the dialogue process is underway. He stated, “I have held several meetings with leaders on both sides. The progress might be seen as slow by some, and others may not find it satisfactory, but we are facilitating dialogue between the two sides to encourage our colleagues to return to the House.”
Tayebwa expressed his belief that both sides need to be present for the House to function effectively. He said, “My feeling is that we are incomplete when we are all not here in terms of both sides. Business can go on and all that, but I still express my discomfort with all that.”
In response to the talks, opinions among opposition MPs have varied. David Lukyamuzi Kalwanga (Busujju County, NUP) believes that negotiations are one of several ways to end the deadlock, while Muwanga Kivumbi (Butambala County, NUP) insists that there can be no compromise on the right to life.
Kalwanga pointed out that boycotting parliamentary sessions has historically yielded positive symbolic results, especially in raising awareness of issues overlooked by the parliamentary majority. He emphasized the importance of opposition representation in the House, stating, “No presiding officer is comfortable chairing a one-sided House, and that is why the speaker fosters dialogue and encourages stakeholder consultations with the executive to address our concerns, and we come back into the House.”
