Opposition members explain boycott of special House session

The Opposition yesterday boycotted Parliament as President Museveni addressed MPs on the oil and gas sector, arguing that the session was an extension of the NRM parliamentary caucus.

At the start of the proceedings, the Opposition side of the House was empty, save for Mr Yokasi Bihande Bwambale (FDC, Bukonjo East), who also later left the House.
Three MPs from the Uganda Peoples Congress, Mr Benson Obua Ogwal, Mr Jimmy Akena and Mr Fred Ebiru, later attended the session.

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MPs Obua and Akena said they were not informed of any opposition decision to boycott the session.“When I entered, that’s when I was dissuaded from attending by FDC MPs Beatrice Anywar and Roland Kaginda but I didn’t see any reasons to stay away,” Mr Obua said.

Mr Akena (UPC, Lira Municipality) said: “I have attended, listened and [I am] ready to debate the statement. It was necessary to attend so that one prepares how to respond.”

Nandala away
Mr Nathan Nandala Mafabi, the Leader of the Opposition, was not in Parliament.
His secretary told this newspaper that he was working in his constituency (Budadiri West).

Busia Municipality MP Kevina Taaka, whom we found in the LOP’s office watching the presidential address on television, said she was staying away following Mr Mafabi’s approval.

“He told me he was going to Mbale. I consulted him if we are attending and he said NO,” she said. Deputy Speaker Jacob Oulanyah allowed NRM MPs to sit on the opposition side, forcing Ms Cecilia Ogwal, the Dokolo Woman MP, to raise a point of procedure.