Pressure increases in the August House as Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) have once again staged a walkout, marking the third such protest in just two weeks. The opposition has raised concerns over what they perceive as government indifference toward human rights violations by security forces.
The Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Mr. Mathias Mpuuga, took the lead in presenting a list of critical issues that he insisted must be addressed by the House. He firmly rejected calls for calm made by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa and demanded an extensive debate on human rights violations, respect for opposition leaders, and a government commitment to end the violations of the rights of opposition leaders and their supporters.
Mr. Mpuuga emphasized that the Opposition would persistently expose human rights abuses by State agents as long as allegations of harassment, torture, and extrajudicial killings of opposition supporters persisted. He reminded Parliament that legislators take an oath of allegiance to the Constitution and derive their authority from it.
Among the key issues raised during this walkout was the demand for full accountability for the November 2020 killings that occurred during election-related violence. These incidents were believed to have been fueled by security personnel and regime supporters. Opposition MPs sought answers regarding the actions taken regarding security personnel who were filmed firing live ammunition at unarmed citizens during that period.
Additionally, the Opposition leader called for accountability for the 18 Ugandans confirmed as missing by the Uganda Human Rights Commission. He demanded the immediate release of all political prisoners in military courts and accountability for killings perpetrated by the military.
Mr. Mpuuga criticized the lack of justice for those who lost their lives in the aftermath of the 2020 elections. He questioned why certain government vehicles involved in incidents that resulted in deaths were not being held accountable. This demand for transparency and accountability is central to the Opposition’s stance.
Furthermore, Mr. Mpuuga expressed concern over what he described as a worrying trend in Uganda, where blame for all murders is placed on Muslims. He raised concerns about the treatment of Muslims in the country, citing instances of Muslim individuals being shot dead. Other opposition members also expressed their concerns about indiscriminate arrests and the fear experienced by young Muslim children due to law enforcement actions.
Prime Minister and Leader of Government Business in Parliament, Ms. Robinah Nabbanja, took a different stance. She expressed the view that the House should continue its proceedings without the Opposition, emphasizing that the opposition’s mission was to collapse the government.
The ongoing walkouts and protests in Parliament highlight the deep-seated tension and grave concerns about human rights in Uganda. The Opposition’s unwavering commitment to demanding accountability and justice for alleged human rights violations by security forces sets the stage for further debates and discussions in the days to come. The nation watches closely as these critical issues continue to be addressed and examined in the public eye.