The Opposition in Parliament have unveiled five key legislative priorities for the 12th Parliament, aiming to shift their role from merely criticising government policies to presenting alternative solutions.
The Office of the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Parliament unveiled the priorities at the end of a two-day retreat at the Imperial Golf View Hotel in Entebbe.
The priorities centre on accountability and anti-corruption; human rights, justice and democratic governance; strengthening Parliament and public institutions; economic transformation and job creation; and better basic services delivery and social protection.
Mr Joel Ssenyonyi, the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament and also Nakawa West MP, said the priorities are intended to provide common interventions in addressing the issues affecting ordinary Ugandans.
‘Ugandans expect us not only to identify what is wrong, but also to demonstrate how it can be done better,’ Mr Ssenyonyi said.
He said the priorities come at a time when Uganda is grappling with high cost of living, youth unemployment, poor service delivery, corruption, insecurity, land conflicts, rising public debt and what he described as disregard for the rule of law.
Mr Ssenyonyi said the Opposition would use their parliamentary oversight to push for better governance and more effective use of public resources.
Mr Ssenyonyi said public funds should be subjected to stronger parliamentary control, independent auditing and transparent reporting.
He said the proposed oversight would cover the Presidency, public finance, local government, Parish Development Model funds, infrastructure, diplomatic missions, public service and digital systems.
Mr Ssenyonyi urged the Opposition MPs to prepare adequately for committee proceedings and ask informed questions that produce meaningful outcomes for their constituents.
‘One of our greatest instruments of accountability is the committee system. It is within committees that government policies are examined, budgets interrogated, institutions held accountable, and public expenditure scrutinised,’ he said.
Executive, constitutional rights
The Opposition also wants Parliament and other public institutions strengthened to provide greater oversight of the Executive, particularly in areas of supplementary expenditure, treaties, presidential spending, public projects and foreign missions.
The MPs also want greater citizen participation in the legislative process.
The Opposition also say they will prioritise the protection of constitutional rights, including freedom of assembly, speedy trials, humane treatment of persons with mental illness and protection of human rights in policing and prisons.
The Opposition also intends to push legislation aimed at expanding economic opportunities, particularly for young people.
The proposals include agricultural commercialisation, access to affordable financing, support for start-ups and innovation, formalisation of mining, promotion of tourism and creative industries, youth employment, sports and infrastructure development.
Mr Lubowa Ssebina Javiira, the Nyendo-Mukungwe MP and Shadow Minister for Finance, said the retreat had enabled the MPs better understand their parliamentary responsibilities and working relationships.
He said his docket would push for amendments to the Public Finance Management Act to strengthen controls on supplementary budgets and the classified expenditure.
The Opposition said they would also focus on improving basic services and social protection, with focus on health, education, water, housing, local government and social protection.
They proposed to push for health insurance, strengthening primary healthcare, school feeding, minimum wages, social protection, affordable housing and better funding for local governments.
Accusations
Mr Muwadda Nkunyinji, the Kyadondo East MP and chairman of the Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (Cosase), accused the previous Parliament of passing and amending laws without sufficient consideration of procedure or public interest.
The Opposition says the new legislative priorities will guide its interventions throughout the 12th Parliament and provide MPs with a framework for holding the government accountable while proposing alternative policies on issues affecting citizens.