In a surprising turn of events, Parliament has rejected the National Unity Platform's attempt to remove Mityana Woman MP Joyce Bagala and Abed Bwanika from their positions as committee heads, sparking a heated debate over legislative powers and independence.
In a contentious session on Wednesday morning, Parliament thwarted the National Unity Platform’s (NUP) bid to unseat Joyce Bagala and Abed Bwanika from their roles as chair and deputy chair of the Standing Committee on Government Assurance.
The decision has ignited a fierce debate about parliamentary independence and the limits of legislative power.
The opposition chief whip, John Baptist Nambeshe, announced the NUP’s decision to replace Bagala and Bwanika, citing internal party matters.
“We believe it is in the best interest of our party and its parliamentary agenda to appoint new leaders who align more closely with our current objectives,” Nambeshe stated.
However, Parliament voted to retain the two legislators in their respective positions, leading to accusations of overreach and bias.
Leader of the Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi, voiced strong objections to the ruling, accusing Speaker Anita Among of exceeding her authority.
“The NRM and Speaker can protect them, but I want to emphasize, the Speaker should stop abusing her powers. It is as if she has some people she is interested in working with,” Ssenyonyi remarked.
Ssenyonyi’s comments reflect broader concerns within the opposition about parliamentary governance and the balance of power.
“You can keep violating the law and usurping our powers. These things will catch up with her. The day of reckoning is going to come, but I won’t stop talking about these issues,” he warned.
The debate over Bagala and Bwanika’s positions underscores the friction between the opposition and the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), particularly regarding legislative autonomy. Political analyst Dr. Sarah Kizito noted,
“This incident highlights the ongoing struggle for control and influence within Parliament. It raises critical questions about the independence of legislative bodies and the dynamics between political parties.”
Speaker Among defended Parliament’s decision, asserting that the integrity of parliamentary procedures must be maintained.
“Our duty is to ensure that committees function effectively and without undue interference. The leadership of these committees has been performing their roles competently,” she stated.
Joyce Bagala and Abed Bwanika have expressed their commitment to their roles despite the controversy.
“We are here to serve the people and uphold the responsibilities entrusted to us.
Our focus remains on ensuring government accountability and delivering on our committee’s mandate,” Bagala affirmed.
The rejection of the NUP’s move has led to increased calls for clarity on the rules governing parliamentary committee appointments. Legal expert Henry Tumusiime argued,
“There needs to be a clear, transparent process for appointing and removing committee leaders to prevent such conflicts and ensure that the rule of law is upheld within parliamentary proceedings.”
As tensions simmer, the incident has sparked a broader conversation about the nature of parliamentary democracy in Uganda and the importance of safeguarding its institutions. The coming weeks will likely see further debate as both sides navigate this complex issue.
