By THE OBSERVER UG
The Leader of Opposition in Parliament (LoP), Mathias Mpuuga Nsamba, has criticized the Speaker for allegedly covering up the incompetence of Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja. Speaking during the opposition’s mid-term review meeting, Mpuuga accused Nabbanja of infrequent attendance at plenary sessions and lack of sufficient knowledge when present, particularly on crucial issues requiring prompt government response.
Mpuuga highlighted the forced disappearance of opposition supporter John Bosco Kibalama as an example, emphasizing that the prime minister had not adequately addressed the matter. He expressed concern about Nabbanja running away without answering questions, referencing a list of 50 unanswered questions he had previously tabled in Parliament.
During the interview, Mpuuga commented on the constitutional framework, noting attempts to mirror the British parliamentary system in Uganda. He explained that the prime minister’s role in Uganda’s quasi-presidential, quasi-parliamentary system can lead to confusion and evasion of responsibility.
Since her appointment as Uganda’s seventh prime minister on June 8, 2021, Nabbanja has faced intense scrutiny from the opposition, who accuse her of incompetence. Charles Odongtho, the publicist for the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), questioned the basis for the allegations, emphasizing that the prime minister has been performing her duties and delegates appropriately in her absence.
Odongtho called for comments from the presiding officers in Parliament regarding the prime minister’s competence. Under Article 108A of the constitution, the prime minister serves as the leader of government business in Parliament and is responsible for coordinating and implementing government policies across various institutions.
The clash between Mpuuga and Nabbanja escalated during a monitoring and evaluation tour, where the former ordered resident district commissioners to arrest the LoP for visiting government schools and health facilities. The tensions also arose over the whereabouts of missing supporters of the National Unity Platform (NUP) party, with conflicting statements from Nabbanja on the matter.
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