Leader of Opposition (LoP), Mathias Mpuuga has asked opposition MPs to defy committee chairpersons who attempt to throw them out of committee meetings for boycotting plenary sittings.
Last month, the opposition legislators led by Nyendo-Mukungwe MP Mathias Mpuuga tasked the government to account for missing persons and the continuous detention of their supporters without trial. Following the government’s delay to address to account for the 18 missing opposition supporters, the MPs embarked on the campaign to boycott plenary sittings.
The alleged missing people include; Hassan Mubiru, Martin Lukwago, Peter Kirya, John Ddamulira, Dennis Zzimula, Michael Semuddu, Muhammada Kanatta, John Bosco Kibalama, Moses Mbabazi, Yuda Ssempijja, Musisi Mboowa, Mustafa Luwemba , Isma Ssesaazi, Godfrey Kisembo, Shafik Wangolo, Vincent Nalumoso, George Kasumba and Joseph Baguma.
Speaker Anita Among has since threatened to throw them out of the August house if they miss 15 parliament sessions. She instead, asked the chairpersons of the various committees to block them from attending sittings.
Yesterday, Bamunanika County MP Robert Ssekitoleko was forced to leave the meeting of the parliamentary committee on legal and parliamentary affairs for boycotting plenary sittings. However, Speaker herself chaired a vetting committee meeting where Mpuuga attended but was never chased like his lightweight colleagues.
Speaking at parliament earlier this morning, Mpuuga said Among’s order to stop opposition MPs from attending committee proceedings saying it is illegal and lacking in common sense.
“My members are very restrained, but they are very resilient, and I encourage them to defy any chairperson who attempts to raise this matter because this is a matter that has no space in law and in our rules. So, be ready to see defiance across,” he said.
He warned Committee chairpersons to stop acting as wiseacres because they have no powers to chase out any MPs because of boycotting plenary sittings. Such decisions aren’t provided for in both the law and Rules of Parliament.
