The Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Rt. Hon Mathias Mpuuga, has called upon Members of Parliament to stop “covering up” for the Government.
“The job of being an MP is now a burden than a service because MPs have taken on the role of the government. These MPs are building maternity wards and paying for social services,” he said during Tuesday, November 1, 2022, plenary.
“On my desk, I received a request from a Member of Parliament requesting my contribution to put street lights in his constituency. It is either an admission of the absence of Government or MPs have abdicated their duty and taken on other people’s duties.”
“If we can stand together and demand that services are delivered and that the money that we appropriate is used properly, you will enjoy your job and not run away from your constituencies. If you decide to cover for your Party, you will continue suffering and please die silently.”
Mpuuga was expressing disappointment with the absence of the Prime Minister and her deputies during plenary.
Although he sought answers from Prime Minister, Robinah Nabbanja, as the head of Government business on the recent killings of police officers, she was absent during the plenary sitting.
“There is no way you can begin a session of the Parliament and the Prime Minister is a no-show and there is no statement from the Prime Minister on the order paper? When a government is run like a WhatsApp group, a junior minister raises to speak when there is a Government Chief Whip,” he noted.
He added: “Is Police part of a Government that buys drones ahead of Police vehicles? That we have many brand new drones without number plates abducting citizens and they don’t lack fuel and we are crying for money to buy police patrol vehicles? Where is our sense of duty, responsibility, and priorities?”
Hon Alioni Yorke Odria, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Aringa South County, echoed his voice in support of Mpuuga’s statement.
“It is very unfortunate that we are not having a prime minister in the house who has three deputies. And none of the deputies is present,” Alioni stated.
While responding to the comments made by the LOP, Hon. Hamson Obua, assured the public that the Government is present and doing its role.
He appealed to the MPs to do their oversight roles at the local government level.
