Mathias Mpuuga, the Leader of the Opposition, has called on Opposition MPs to resist Committee chairpersons who try to exclude them from committee meetings due to their boycott of plenary sittings.
He stated that such decisions are both illegal and lacking in common sense.
Speaker Anita Annet Among recently issued additional instructions to the Clerk of Parliament, stating that MPs who boycott plenary sittings will not be allowed to participate in committees or travel abroad.
She reminded legislators of their duty to serve the nation and emphasized that attacking her would not lead to a resolution.
“Your responsibility is to serve the nation. If you cannot fulfil your duty by attending the House sessions, the Rules will be enforced. When we take disciplinary action against an individual, it is not an attack on the party; it holds the person accountable,” Among explained.
The Speaker also requested that individual MPs who choose to boycott plenary sessions notify her office, as they were elected as individuals and not as a collective group.
Mpuuga expressed that the MPs should not be intimidated.
“My members are very restrained, but they are very resilient, and I encourage them to defy any chairperson who attempts to raise this matter because this is a matter that has no space in law and our rules. So, be ready to see defiance across,” Mpuuga said.
He also cautioned Committee chairpersons against acting as if they have ultimate authority, as they do not possess the power to expel any MPs due to their boycott of plenary sittings.
He stated that such decisions are not supported by either the law or the Rules of Parliament.
“I have spoken to many chairpersons of committees, and they are sounding extremely reasonable, so I don’t know what had become of my brother Fox Odoi, probably he was fooling himself. That’s why I advised my members to ignore his irregular instructions,” Mpuuga said.
The opposition maintains boycott of Parliament sittings until comprehensive response on human rights is given
Mpuuga warns against party leaders undermining the opposition cause.
Mpuuga has cautioned political party leaders against issuing directives to their MPs that undermine the opposition’s objectives.
He highlighted the potential risk of causing internal divisions within parties.
This comes in response to the recent directive by FDC and DP, urging their members to end the boycott and return to the House.
DP whip, Peter Okot, informed the Shadow Cabinet that there is disagreement within the DP caucus, as a majority of members are choosing to go against the guidance from the DP headquarters.
