PARLIAMENT .
Opposition Members of Parliament, led by Leader of the Opposition, Mr Joel Ssenyonyi, have boycotted Tuesday morning plenary session in protest of the “rushed handling” of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) Amendment Bill and the Political Parties and Organisations (Amendment) Bill.
The Opposition legislators accused the government of fast-tracking the two critical Bills without allowing adequate time for public consultations.
Making his presentation on the floor of parliament, Mr Ssenyonyi argued that the legislation carries significant implications for national security and the political environment, and should not be passed without broad stakeholder engagement.
Despite the protest, the Speaker of Parliament Anita Among and the chairperson legal committee, Mr Baja Stephen Mugabi defended the timeline, stating that the rules of procedure require the Bills to be processed within 45 days.
They maintained that tabling and passing the Bills in a single day is legally permissible.
Earlier, Ssenyonyi criticized the process as rushed and lacking public consultation .
He had also on Monday said that they will not boycott the plenary session but will have their voices be heard on the floor of the House .Despite the Oopposition legislators boycott , business continued as scheduled since the ruling National Resistance Movement has numerical strengthen in the House .